PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS DISASTER DECLARATION

On 2026-06-04, Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4) delivered a floor speech titled "PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS DISASTER DECLARATION" in the House.

PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS DISASTER DECLARATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 95 (Thursday, June 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 95 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H3896] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS DISASTER DECLARATION (Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Agriculture is the largest industry in my Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Farmers are stewards of our land. For some, they carry generations of family work. For all, they fulfill our most basic need. Their crops feed us. When an extreme, unexpected cold front hit at the end of April, it was devastating for many of our crops, especially the fruits, apples, peaches, and pears. Our Commonwealth's specialty crop industry could face staggering losses between $150 and $200 million. Losses of this magnitude, especially impossible to prepare for, would be insurmountable to our farmers, especially in our rural communities. That is why my colleagues and I, alongside Governor Josh Shapiro, urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to declare a Secretarial Disaster Declaration, a truly bipartisan effort to bring much-needed relief to our crop growers. I am grateful that last week, Secretary Rollins signed the declaration for 17 counties, allowing our farmers to secure necessary recovery loans. When our farmers thrive, we all do. ____________________