Political Quotes

“next week the ``Old Belt'' flue-cured tobacco markets open in Southside, Virginia, and the farmers have never faced greater uncertainty. Over the course of the last year, the tobacco farmers in the Fifth District of Virginia, and across the southeastern part of the United States, have been tossed around like a political football. The farmers were not included in the original settlement, but throughout the debate over the proposed settlement, people on all sides have indicated that they want to protect the tobacco growers. Yet, we see legislation proposed in Congress that will cripple and ruin the American grower. We must fight such proposals. Mr. Speaker, I just hope that as various political agendas go forward, the hard-working growers and their families and their communities do not end up busted, bankrupt, and broken. The annual opening of the tobacco markets historically have been a time of optimism and hope. But this year, as the markets open in Southside, Virginia, the optimism is replaced by uncertainty and worry.”