    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 1, 1996]
    [Page 1047]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1047]]

    Statement on Assistance for Livestock Producers
    July 1, 1996

        Our Nation's livestock producers are hurting. A severe drought in
    the Southwest has reduced available forage in pastures while raising the
    cost of cattle feed. Producers also have been hurt by low beef prices.
        I am taking action today to help livestock producers weather these
    tough times. Specifically, I am declaring a State of Emergency in the
    Southwest and other areas, enabling the Secretary of Agriculture to
    release about $40 million in needed assistance to producers from the
    Feed Grain Disaster Reserve.
        The Department of Agriculture will sell about 15 million bushels of
    grain from the Disaster Reserve, in order to make disaster assistance
    payments to livestock producers in the drought region. The Department
    will make the sales in a way that minimizes market disruptions.
        Secretary Glickman and Deputy Secretary Rominger recently visited
    some of the areas hardest hit by the drought, and I have heard from
    Members of Congress and others about the situation there. I know how
    badly producers are suffering, and I am determined to do whatever I can
    to help.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: The proclamation on the declaration of a state of emergency and
    release of feed grain from the disaster reserve is listed in Appendix D
    at the end of this volume. An original was not available for
    verification of the content of this statement.