Political Quotes

“Today, I am introducing legislation to provide disaster assistance to farmers who have suffered losses from the recent ice storm in the South. Earlier this month, many counties in Mississippi suffered severe damage due to a winter storm of freezing rain and ice. This storm caused extensive damage to millions of acres of commercial orchards and timber. For example, it is estimated that it will be 8 to 10 years before normal production will be realized for up to one-half of Mississippi's pecan orchards. Severe damage was incurred on 3.7 million acres of forestland in the northern part of the State and included both young pine plantations and mature pine and hardwood timber. It is also estimated that the cost of cleanup and tree repair will exceed $1,000 per acre. In addition, the State's livestock and dairy industry suffered significant losses due to this storm. This devastating ice storm not only affected Mississippi, but other States in the Midsouth and the Eastern portion of the United States. This bill will provide disaster assistance for orchard crop, forest crop, livestock, and dairy losses. Due to the severe damage to orchard trees, which will affect production for several years, this bill also provides assistance to orchard crop producers through 1998. The fact that no crop insurance is available for many of the producers suffering losses makes the enactment of this bill even more critical.”