For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, September 27, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren today signed a petition that, once signed by 218 members of the House of Representatives, would force immediate action on agriculture disaster assistance legislation.  At least 137 members have signed the petition in just three days.

 

“This is too important to Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers for Congress to allow more time to pass,” Boren said.  “This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue.  It’s a rural America issue and it’s past time to do something about it.”

 

The discharge petition Boren signed is supported by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the National Farmer’s Union.  It would bring H.R. 5099, The Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act, to the House floor for consideration even though the Agriculture Committee has not yet acted on the measure.  Boren also supports H.R. 5363, The Natural Disaster Relief Act, a similar bill introduced by Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas that is also awaiting action in the Agriculture Committee.

 

“I support both efforts to bring our farmers and ranchers the assistance they need,” Boren said.  “The losses they are suffering as a result of unpredictable drought have a ripple effect on our rural economies and a chilling effect on family farms.”

 

Oklahoma has been one of the states hardest hit by the continuing drought, with some areas of the state experiencing their worst drought conditions on record.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all 77 counties in the state have experienced exceptional or extreme drought at some point since March.

 

“As one of the nation’s top agriculture producing states, this assistance is especially important to Oklahoma,” Boren said.  “Some federal assistance is already in place, but we have to do more.”

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