Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, the motion is very simple. It asks that the conferees on the farm bill accept language in a Senate bill that would make Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Code permanent. I do not think there is any controversy whatsoever that Chapter 12 works well and that it protects our family farmers who are in distress, that it properly balances the legitimate needs of financially troubled farmers and their creditors, and that it preserves the family farm. No one can honestly say that the loss of family farms is anything other than a catastrophe for this Nation. The combined pressures of low crop prices, high debts just to get your crop in the ground, the economic competition from large industrial farms and Third World production all combine to squeeze those family farmers that form the backbone of our rural community. I unfortunately see this too frequently in my congressional district in central and southern Illinois. When a family farmer goes under, it is a tragedy not just for that family, but it is a tragedy and a loss to the economic life of small rural communities all across America.”