Byron Dorgan: “This is a picture of Frank Barnick walking in a creekbed that used to provide water for his cattle. One day this summer…”

“This is a picture of Frank Barnick walking in a creekbed that used to provide water for his cattle. One day this summer, it was 112 degrees in North Dakota. You can see the devastating drought that has occurred. The land looks like a moonscape. Frank Barnick said this: It is the worst drought I have ever seen. You do a lot of praying and wondering how you are going to get through it. One way you get through these things is when Congress decides to reach out with a helping hand and say: We want to help you, you are not alone. We have always done that. Somehow, this year it hasn't been quite as urgent to do it. I don't understand that. Senator Burns and I have twice moved legislation through the Appropriations Committee. The Senate has twice passed agricultural disaster aid. It has moved through the Appropriations Committee a third time. My colleague, Senator Conrad, taking the lead in drafting, with many of us assisting, created the disaster legislation now pending that we should, by consent, move through the Senate. Yet somehow it remains blocked. This isn't about the major industries--the pharmaceutical industry, the oil industry, or about another big industry--this is about individual families living a hard life, trying to make a living during tough times. Will Congress help? We have helped endangered species. We can deal with them--birds, bats, butterflies, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs.”