Sam Farr: “Mr. Chairman, I want to address an issue concerning a devastating disease. It is called the sudden oak death syndrome…”

“Mr. Chairman, I want to address an issue concerning a devastating disease. It is called the sudden oak death syndrome; and as the gentleman knows, sudden oak death has left miles of dead tanoaks and oaks in woodlands across California. In addition to its forest impacts, this disease has a potential impact on interstate and international trade. Both Canada and the State of Oregon have issued emergency quarantines banning the importation of nursery stock such as rhododendrons, azaleas and huckleberries. Mr. Chairman, I am concerned that this bill does not include the resources necessary to address the lack of fundamental knowledge and tools for effective eradication or containment of sudden oak death. I am prepared to offer an amendment to increase the funding for the Forest Service and Range Land Research Account. However, I am encouraged to hear by the gentleman's efforts that he has agreed to work with me; and will, therefore, withhold offering my amendment at this time.”