Thomas Daschle: “I commend the junior Senator from Kansas for calling attention to the devastating impact of adverse weather on our…”

“I commend the junior Senator from Kansas for calling attention to the devastating impact of adverse weather on our Nation's producers. I fully support Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which urges the Secretary of Agriculture to make available commodities in the disaster reserve for livestock feed. I also commend Senator Kassebaum for agreeing to broaden the resolution to include producers suffering from flooding and other weather related disasters. In my home State of South Dakota and throughout the eastern cornbelt, excessive rainfall this spring has prevented producers from planting their crop. This resolution acknowledges the importance of addressing the effect of both drought and flooding on producers. Senate Concurrent Resolution 63 reinforces an initiative to utilize the disaster reserve already undertaken by the Secretary of Agriculture. Secretary Glickman has informed me that he has formally asked the President of the United States to issue an emergency declaration to allow the use of the commodities within the reserve, and he expects a positive response shortly. In light of the actions the administration has already taken in this area, some have argued this resolution is superfluous, but it is fitting for Congress to send a clear signal that we support the efforts of Secretary Glickman and the President, and I have, therefore, joined as a cosponsor of the resolution.”