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[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 253 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 253

Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States Department of 
 Agriculture provide timely assistance to Texas farmers and livestock 
      producers who are experiencing worsening drought conditions.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 23, 1998

  Mr. Gramm (for himself and Mrs. Hutchison) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the committee on Agriculture, 
                        Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States Department of 
 Agriculture provide timely assistance to Texas farmers and livestock 
      producers who are experiencing worsening drought conditions.

Whereas the statewide economic impact of the drought on Texas agriculture could 
        be more than $1.7 billion in losses, according to the Texas Agricultural 
        Extension Service;
Whereas the direct loss of income to agricultural producers is $517 million, 
        which will lead to a loss of another $1.2 billion in economic activity 
        for the state;
Whereas the National Weather Service has reported that all 10 climatic regions 
        in the State of Texas have received below average rainfall from March 
        through May, a critical time in the production of corn, cotton, sorghum, 
        wheat, and forage;
Whereas the total losses for Texas cotton producers have already reached an 
        estimated $157 million;
Whereas nearly half of the State of Texas' rangeland as of May 31, 1998, was 
        rated as ``poor'' or ``very poor'' as a result of the lack of rain;
Whereas the value of lost hay production in the State of Texas will approach an 
        estimated $175 million statewide, leading to an economic impact of $582 
        million;
Whereas dryland fruit and vegetable production losses in East Texas have already 
        been estimated at $33 million;
Whereas the early rains in many parts of Texas produced a large quantity of 
        forage that is now extremely dry and a dangerous source of fuel for 
        wildfires; and
Whereas the Texas Forest Service has indicated that over half the State is in 
        extreme or high danger of wildfires due to the drought conditions: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate of the United States 
that the Secretary of Agriculture streamline the drought declaration 
process to provide necessary relief as quickly as possible; that the 
Secretary of Agriculture ensure that local Farm Service Agency offices 
are equipped with full time and emergency personnel in drought-stricken 
areas to assist producers with disaster loan application packages; that 
the Secretary of Agriculture instruct the United States Forest Service 
to assist the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency in prepositioning fire fighting equipment and other appropriate 
resources in affected Texas counties; that the Secretary of Agriculture 
authorize haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acreage; 
that the Secretary of Agriculture convene experts within the Department 
to develop and implement an emergency plan to help prevent wildfires 
and to overcome the economic impact of the continuing drought so the 
Department of Agriculture can provide assistance in a rapid and 
efficient manner for producers who are suffering from drought 
conditions.
                                 <all>
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