Durbin Statement Regarding USDA's Designation of Illinois Counties as Agricultural Disaster Areas

DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING USDA'S DESIGNATION OF ILLINOIS COUNTIES AS AGRICULTURAL DISASTER AREAS

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement regarding the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Mike Johanns' announcement that 101 Illinois counties have been designated agricultural disaster areas:

"The announcement by the USDA that 101 of 102 Illinois counties have been designated as agriculture disaster areas could not come at a more important time."

"Everybody in Illinois knows what the drought has done. It's the third worst drought we've seen in more than a century. Many farmers across the state talk about losing about one third of their corn crop. In some parts of the state it is even worse - total devastation."

"This helping hand from the federal government will help many farm families get though one of the most difficult growing seasons in modern memory. I'll do my best to make sure that money comes to Illinois in a timely basis and, if necessary, take action in Washington to add provisions to the Agriculture Appropriations bill to help even further."

"Tomorrow, I look forward to meeting with Secretary Johanns, Senator Obama and Illinois Director of Agriculture Chuck Hartke to discuss the drought, the full impact of this federal aid and what we need to do to help farm families."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=241722&&