[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 117 (Wednesday, August 4, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6727-S6728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         The Pigford Settlement

  Ms. LANDRIEU. In my final minute I would like to change subjects and 
speak about another subject that is very important to people in 
Louisiana, particularly to some of my African-

[[Page S6728]]

American farmers and the small communities that they primarily reside 
in throughout my State.
  These are farmers who were blatantly discriminated against in the 
last several decades. We have a bill right here before us. It is 
referred to as the Pigford settlement. This group of farmers took their 
grievances to the courts. Before they could get a final judgment from 
the courts, the Justice Department stepped in and smartly attempted to 
settle this situation because the Federal Government is probably going 
to be very liable for past discriminations that were blatant and 
proven.
  We came up with a fair way to solve this issue, to get money to many 
African-American farmers. We have acknowledged there were some wrong 
things done by the Department of Agriculture and by the Federal 
Government. We want to try to make amends. We cannot make everything 
right and everything perfect, but the Pigford settlement is a fair and 
just resolution to this issue. One thousand African-American farmers in 
Louisiana would be benefited by this settlement.
  Again, this is being held up. I don't understand why, but I wanted to 
lend my voice to say that this settlement is not just about correcting 
past wrongs but about ensuring future prosperity. It is time for 
Congress to end the 12-year delay and approve this settlement as 
quickly as possible.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time of the Senator has expired.

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