Kent Conrad: “I was surprised to get up this morning and read the Washington Post and see that the Speaker of the House, Mr. Hastert…”

“I was surprised to get up this morning and read the Washington Post and see that the Speaker of the House, Mr. Hastert, said the House could pass drought relief legislation after the election, `` . . . if there is a problem.'' Where has the Speaker been? If there is a problem? Tell that to the farmers of North Dakota. This is a photo of what it looks like in southwestern North Dakota. That is a moonscape. Nothing is growing. There is no question, I would say to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, about whether or not there is a problem. There is a deep problem. This is a disastrous year. Let me read just one letter from a farmer in North Dakota. He says: Dear Senator Conrad: I am a 40 year old man with a wife and 4 children. I am a third generation farmer. We enjoy farming very much but it's getting very hard to keep on going. He continues: When we have had good crops in the past there was no price. Now in 2002 we have no crop, no grass, no hay, and no rain, which all leads to no money. I know it is hard for city people to understand the difficulties of farming, but it has become very hard to keep a good attitude when you are always under financial pressure. Without any disaster aid this fall, a lot of good farmers will be forced to sell, or will simply just quit. He went on to say: I hope and pray that you can persuade the Members of the House how serious it is out here in rural North Dakota.…”