[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8384] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]REGARDING THE STATE OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE ______ HON. DAVID D. PHELPS of illinois in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 4, 1999 Mr. PHELPS. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking my colleague Mr. Berry for gathering us here to talk about the state of agriculture and the dire need for quick action on the Supplemental Appropriations measure. There is perhaps no more timely or pressing issue facing our nation's farmers and the legislators who represent them in Washington, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this discussion. The importance of agriculture to the families and economy of Illinois' 19th District cannot be overstated, and I am proud to serve on the Agriculture Committee, where I look forward to helping to shape our nation's agriculture policy. Every one of the communities I represent is deeply impacted when agriculture experiences tough times, and these are some of the toughest in recent memory. The pork industry is still reeling from a crisis, and prices are low for other commodities that are critical to my district, such as corn and soybeans. The Natural Resource Conservation Service in Illinois and many other states is facing a major budget shortfall that will likely necessitate office closures or furloughs and has already resulted in the suspension of CRP technical assistance services that countless farmers depend upon. Farmers are experiencing undue delays in receiving disaster assistance and other USDA payments, and Farm Service Agency offices throughout the country are understaffed and overworked. I urge my colleagues to recognize the urgency of this situation and hope we can work together to find both short- and long-term solutions to the problems that plague our agriculture community. It seems clear to me, in fact, that one short-term solution has already been found, in the form of a supplemental appropriations bill that includes $152 million for USDA. This money will allow the Department to increase loan capacity by more than $1 billion at a time when conditions in the agriculture economy have increased demand for USDA's farm loan programs by 400%. The funding will also provide desperately-needed temporary staffing assistance for FSA offices. Unfortunately, it has been two months since the President submitted his supplemental spending request, and over a month since both houses passed their bills. Farmers are already in the fields planting crops and USDA is receiving 150 applications for loan assistance every day. Meanwhile, conferees have only this week been appointed to begin crafting a final supplemental measure, and there is no indication that this risk is being undertaken with the urgency it requires. We simply must pass this legislation now. America's farmers are counting on their representatives in Congress. We cannot let them down during this time of crisis. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Berry for demonstrating his commitment to American agriculture and urging us to speak out on this important issue. ____________________