    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [February 26, 1999]
    [Page 280]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Emergency Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers
    February 26, 1999

        Today I am sending to the Congress requests for a $152 million
    emergency supplemental appropriation to help America's farmers and
    ranchers. Many farm communities continue to undergo very hard times
    despite the disaster aid we worked so hard to provide last year.
    Economic turmoil in Pacific Rim countries and around the world continue
    to make it difficult for American farmers and ranchers to export their
    goods overseas. More and more farmers and ranchers need loans to see
    them through to better times, and our Department of Agriculture simply
    is running out of available credit.
        The Agriculture Department's staff around the country needs
    immediate help to handle the increased workload brought on by providing
    emergency services. I hope that Congress will join me in helping our
    farmers and ranchers during this difficult time, particularly when the
    rest of the country is blessed with unparalleled prosperity. I urge them
    to approve this request by the end of March.