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Burns Supports Kingston's Amendment To Help Georgia's Peanut Farmers

By: Max Burns
By: Max Burns
Date: May 15, 2006
Location: Savannah, GA
Issues: Agriculture and Food


May-15, 2006

Burns Supports Kingston's Amendment To Help Georgia's Peanut Farmers

(SAVANNAH, GA) -Max Burns, former Congressman running for Georgia's New 12th District, today praised Congressman Jack Kingston for introducing an amendment to aid Georgia's peanut farmers by continuing the peanut storage and handling fees program through next year. Burns also sent a letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte requesting his support for the program's continuation when it is debated on the U.S. House floor later this week.

"Georgia is the largest peanut producing state in the nation and Congressman Kingston's amendment would continue the peanut storage and handling fees program through 2007," said Burns. "Without this amendment, Georgia peanut farmers could lose $42 million over the next two years. This would be devastating to Georgia's peanut farmers and our state's economy and that's something I cannot support."

Kingston's amendment, which had bipartisan support, was unanimously approved by the House Appropriations Committee as part of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007. That measure is scheduled to be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration later this week.

"I have spoken to the House Agriculture Committee and asked for strong consideration for the extension of the peanut storage and handling fees program," said Burns. "Georgia peanut farmers are simply asking that the storage program be continued until the Farm Bill expires in 2007, when all other agriculture policies are set to expire. I've always supported what is best for Georgia farmers and I'll continue to fight for their interest in the U.S Congress."

Below is the text of the letter sent to Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee:

May 15, 2006

The Honorable Bob Goodlatte

Chairman

House Committee on Agriculture

1301 LongworthBuilding

Washington, D.C.20515

Chairman Goodlatte:

I am writing to express my strong support for Congressman Jack Kingston's amendment that continues the peanut storage and handling fees program, which was included in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

Georgia is the largest peanut producing state in the nation and Congressman Kingston's amendment would continue the peanut storage and handling fees program through 2007. Without this amendment, Georgia peanut farmers could lose $42 million over the next two years. This would be devastating to Georgia's peanut farmers, Georgia's economy and to agriculture all across the southeast.

I respectfully request that you give strong consideration for the extension of the peanut storage and handling fees program as included in the FY 2007 Agriculture Appropriations measure. Thank you for considering the views of Georgia's new 12th District on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Max Burns

Leadership for

Georgia's new 12th District

CC: The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Senator

The Honorable Jack Kingston, U.S. Representative

Mr. William O'Conner, House Agriculture Committee

http://www.maxburns.com/archive_detail.cfm?news_id=98

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