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“THE OCCASION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RURAL CAUCUS KICK-OFF” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E307-E308 on March 14, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE OCCASION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RURAL CAUCUS KICK-OFF
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HON. EVA M. CLAYTON
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 14, 2000
Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, not long ago I made a statement on the Floor of the House that, I believe, underscores the pressing need for a new and revived Rural Caucus.
I noted that, at the Farm Resource Center, a national crisis line for farmers, those seeking help can not get through.
The line is always busy. Small farmers and ranchers are struggling to survive in America. In fact, small farmers and ranchers are a dying breed. And, because they are a dying breed, quality and affordable food and fiber for all of us is at risk.
Passage of the 1996 Farm Bill sounded the death knell for many of our Nation's farmers and ranchers.
Farmers and ranchers, able to eke out a living from the land in past years, now find it almost impossible to break even. Most are losing money and fighting to stay in the farming business. And, the crisis line is busy.
We are all aware of the problems tobacco is having.
But, in North Carolina, according to a recent news report, the state's top farm commodity, hogs, have experienced a fifty percent drop in prices since 1996. Wheat is down forty-two percent. Soybeans are down thirty-six percent. Corn--thirty-one percent; peanuts--twenty-
eight percent.
Turkey and cotton prices are down twenty-three percent, since 1996.
In fact, my friends, at the time I made my remarks, there was no commodity in North Carolina that makes money for farmers. And, the crisis line is busy. In 1862, the year the Department of Agriculture was created, ninety percent of the population farmed for a living.
Today, American producers represent less than 3 percent of the population.
By 1992, there were only 1.1 million small farms left in the United States, a 45 percent decline from 1959! North Carolina had only a little over 39,000 farms left in 1992, a 23 percent decline. In 1920, there were over 6 million farms in the United States and close to a sixth--926,000 were operated by African-Americans. In 1992, the landscape was very, very different.
Only 1 percent of the farms in the United States are operated by African-Americans.
One percent--18,816, is a paltry sum when African-Americans comprise 13 percent of the total American population.
In my home state of North Carolina, there has been a 64 percent decline in minority farmers, just over the last 15 years, from 6,996 farms in 1978 to 2,498 farms in 1992.
All farmers are suffering under this severe economic downturn.
Just before I made my remarks on the Floor, I spoke with a farmer who was working off the farm--not to earn extra money--but, to earn enough money to save his small farm.
He made no money from the farm, in fact he lost money.
Taking a job off the farm was the only thing he could do to save his farm and pass it on to his children.
The man is seventy years old.
And, the crisis line is busy.
Mr. Speaker, when next you drive through a state where the food and fiber for America is produced--the least expensive and best quality food and fiber in the world--take note of the farm, and the people who are trying to make their living from the land.
It will take us, Congress, to relieve the pressure on the national crisis lines.
Farmers and farm families deserve a chance--a chance for the dwindling number of farmers and ranchers who feed and help clothe us at prices that are unmatched around the world.
I am reminded of the story that the former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Kika De LeGarza, would tell.
While touring a nuclear submarine, he asked the Commander how long could it stay submerged.
After some reluctance in responding to what the Commander considered top secret information, he finally told the Chairman, ``As long as the food lasts.''
Food, my friends, is vital to America's defense and national security.
And, the crisis line is busy.
Before the ``Freedom to Farm'' Bill of 1996, the farm price safety net was shield against uncertain and fluctuating commodity prices.
When that Bill was being considered, we referred to it as ``Freedom to Fail.'' I am sad to report that our admonitions have been far too accurate. We must now correct that error.
If we do nothing about the real problems facing these hard-working citizens, they may not be there at a later time.
And, that will hurt all of us, because we too, as human beings, can stay only as long as the food lasts.
That is why we need a Rural Caucus, and that is why we are here today.
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