The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“FARM SECURITY ACT OF 2001” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1819 on Oct. 5, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FARM SECURITY ACT OF 2001
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speech of
HON. SILVESTRE REYES
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, October 4, 2001
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2646) to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2011:
Mr. REYES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the amendment offered by my colleague, Mr. Conyers. It is time that we hold the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accountable for the gaps in service to disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. This amendment will set a system in place that will allow the public to routinely monitor any failures of the Department to provide equitable service. In addition, this amendment makes county level data on USDA program participation of disadvantaged producers available to the public. The amendment also requires the release of similar data on participation in Farm Services Agency (FSA) county committee elections, and requires that the process of opening and counting ballots in county committee elections be open to the public.
Mr. Chairman, because of my role as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I have been approached by Hispanic farmers across the country who are alleging discriminatory practices by the USDA and the FSA. The USDA claims that no discrimination has taken place, but the stories that I have personally heard from these farmers lead me to a very different conclusion. In fact, I am so concerned by what I have heard, that I have requested a General Accounting Office (GAO) audit with my good friend and colleague, Congressman Joe Baca. This audit, which is currently underway, asks, among other things, how much time it has taken the USDA and FSA to process loans for Hispanic farmers as compared with the non-Hispanic population. According to my constituents, the slow turn around time of loans from the USDA makes it impossible for them to plant their crops until it is too late. The lateness in planting the crops leads to the failure of the yield, and ultimately to the default on their loans. In addition, I have heard stories of corruption in regard to county committees and the elections of committee officers that greatly exacerbate the problem. These issues need to be addressed now.
I know that the Small and Disadvantaged Farmer Access and Accountability Amendment is not going to address all of these issues, but it is a start. I am hopeful that passage of this amendment will lead to a more equitable situation for Hispanic and other minority farmers, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote for the amendment offered by Mr. Conyers.
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