Political Quotes

“I rise also to support this very important effort and very important amendment. I, first, thank my senior colleague and friend from Michigan for his ongoing leadership in this effort to support our apple growers in Michigan and across the country, and my colleagues who are joining us in the Chamber certainly have been at the forefront of this battle. We really have had two strategies. One is to focus on research for apple fire blight. I thank the chairman of the subcommittee and the ranking member for their ongoing efforts. There are dollars in this bill for apple fire blight research. That continues to be a priority. I thank him for his vision and his support because in the long run we are hoping the research will allow us to be able to find ways for our farmers to eradicate this terrible disease that is so afflicting the apple growers across the country. In the meantime, we know that in the last 5 years apple growers across our country have lost $1.5 billion. Last year alone, $500 million was lost as a result of this effort. We are talking about a serious disease affecting a very important Michigan industry and national industry. I am very hopeful that we can come together and support the $150 million effort.”