Cord Byrd: “As we quickly approach the end of Fiscal Year 1999, there is a portion of the American population that is not faring…”

“As we quickly approach the end of Fiscal Year 1999, there is a portion of the American population that is not faring very well. The small family farmers of the North-Eastern and Mid-Atlantic States have been struggling to survive a fifteen-month-long drought. With all fifty-five of our counties receiving an emergency drought declaration on August 2 from the Secretary of Agriculture, farmers in West Virginia are no exception. These farmers have been waiting for a significant and timely response to their emergency, a feeling I imagine would be similar to dialing nine-one-one and getting a busy signal. Yet, over the years, this Congress has responded quickly to provide the necessary resources to help the victims of national disasters, not only in this country, but around the world.”