Emerson Etheridge said "If our farmers lose their independence, that is the very thing that has made America great. We have had a strong vibrant economy because of agriculture. When our agricultural economy gets in trouble, pretty soon the rest of us follow. We started to do something last year to help the farmers when we passed the disaster relief bill, but not a dime of that money, not one dime of that money, has been sent to the farmers yet because of a whole variety of reasons. Earlier this year, we passed, and I commend the majority for bringing this to the floor, legislation to free up loan reserves within the Department so that they can make money available to farmers. But that money is also gone, the reason being there is such a big need in the farm community, farmers need a lot of money in the spring to buy supplies to start the farm operations." @ PoliticalQuotes.com

On the recordApril 14, 1999

If our farmers lose their independence, that is the very thing that has made America great. We have had a strong vibrant economy because of agriculture. When our agricultural economy gets in trouble, pretty soon the rest of us follow. We started to do something last year to help the farmers when we passed the disaster relief bill, but not a dime of that money, not one dime of that money, has been sent to the farmers yet because of a whole variety of reasons. Earlier this year, we passed, and I commend the majority for bringing this to the floor, legislation to free up loan reserves within the Department so that they can make money available to farmers. But that money is also gone, the reason being there is such a big need in the farm community, farmers need a lot of money in the spring to buy supplies to start the farm operations.

Said by

Emerson Etheridge

Ind. Republican-Democrat · Tennessee

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the challenges faced by farmers and the need for financial support during a speech.

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