Rubén Hinojosa: “I thank the gentleman for accepting my amendment. Mr. Chairman, in closing, in my area just a year ago, we went to see…”

“I thank the gentleman for accepting my amendment. Mr. Chairman, in closing, in my area just a year ago, we went to see and meet with all of the producers, and they were showing us the comparison of where we are in Texas as compared to the damage that was done in Florida and in California. Within less than 6 months, we were put under quarantine in my area, and we are one of the three largest citrus growing regions in the whole country--in California, in Florida, and in deep south Texas--where we grow the Ruby Reds and the Navel oranges and all of that. We are really needing it not over a 5-year period--we need to attack it now. We have the research going on with the Texas A&M University Research Center in Weslaco, and this money will help us to be able to stop the damage that has already been done. I thank you for accepting my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”