Political Quotes

“I urge in the strongest possible terms that we pass this disaster relief package. The years 2001 and 2002 have been absolutely devastating years for Michigan agriculture. When I was home in August, I had an opportunity to visit from northern Michigan down to southern Michigan. To show the sense of urgency felt, there was an ad hoc group that put together petitions and cards. The Michigan Agricultural Industry Alliance and others, Lee Lavanway from Eau Claire, MI, in the southwestern part of Michigan, put together over a thousand petitions and cards desperately calling on us to act on behalf of American agriculture. I urge that we do so. In the year 2001, 82 of Michigan's 83 counties were declared a disaster because of drought. Early frosts and then flooding later in the year also contributed to considerable crop damage. Secretary Veneman issued another disaster declaration for 2002 covering 50 counties. In 2001, yields for program crops, such as corn and soybeans, plummeted. Other crops, such as grapes and beans, had monumental losses. 2001 was the worst year in recorded history for dry beans in Michigan. In fact, earlier this year Bob Green of the Michigan Bean Commission testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee about this issue. The 2001 year drought also devastated sugar beet crops. The grape growers in Michigan have struggled with not 1 but 2 devastating crop years.”