----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 12:52
PM
Subject: Fwd: Farm Bill- Urgent Action
Alert!
THREE CALLS NEEDED -
TODAY!
Folks,
A feisty alliance of progressive
conservationists and family farmers
helped forge Senate farm bill
legislation the New York Times has
called, "the most sweeping
environmental legislation since the 1990
Clear Air Act."
Today in Washington, in congressional conference committee, these
gains are under heavy attack We have all fought hard together
over the last year to improve farm policy. There have been many
important crossroads, but none more important than this.
Rumors are spreading that agribusiness political influence is
pressuring key Senators in an attempt to rob conservation funding
and
direct it to commodities payments which do nothing but
increase
concentration and overproduction.
URGENT PRESSURE NEEDED on three key
Senate Democrats
TODAY.
Please take a simple moment out of
your busy day to call Senators
Daschle, Conrad and Lehay.
All three of them are serving on the farm bill conference committee.
This congressional body is now deciding the final outcome of the
Farm
Bill, weighing the House and Senate versions.
Their support is
absolutely necessary to stand up against
agribusiness and in support of
conservation.
WHAT TO DO - THREE CALLS NEEDED
Call each
Senator at the numbers listed below. Ask to speak to the
staff
member who is in charge of agriculture If they are not in,
leave a
message. (If you have time, send an email, too. Though
calls are
much more effective.)
Urge them to FIGHT HARD in conference in support
of the Senate
level of funding for conservation programs. Ask
them to stand
against transferring conservation money to a commodity title
which
favors the richest farmers and agribusiness policy. Tell them
you
support WHIP, FPP, GRP, the Conservation Security Program and
other conservation measures in the Senate farm bill.
TELL THEM WHO
YOU ARE
If you are calling from a state they represent (South Dakota,
North
Dakota, or Vermont.), be sure and tell them.
If you
are calling from a another state, remind them that the
Senator swore an
oath to represent the commonwealth of all states.
Politely remind them
that their decision will effect the ability of all
states to arm farmers
with powerful conservation tools.
PLEASE ACT TODAY and forward this
alert to many.
Contact Information:
Senator Daschle (D-SD)
Washington 202-224-2321
Aberdeen: 605-225-8823
Sioux Falls:
605-334-9596
Rapid City: 605-348-7551
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Senator Conrad (D-ND)
Washington: 202-224-2043
Bismarck:
701-258-4648
Fargo: 701-232-8030
Grand Forks: 701-775-9601
Minot:
701-852-0703
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Senator Leahy (D-VT)
Washington: 202-224-4242
Burlington: 802-863-2525
Montpelier:
802-229-0569
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Many thanks,
Scotty Johnson
Defenders of Wildlife
Rural Outreach Program
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Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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