Relief needed

Dear Editor,

I really don't need to tell you or your readers how tough it is in agriculture or the businesses that rely on our industry. What I would like to do is to bring to your attention that there is a new push in Washington to provide some disaster relief for those who farm and ranch. This is happening right now, Jan. 8, with bills being introduced that would try to make something happen.

First, we need to let our congressional delegation know how we feel about the setbacks this drought has made on our farmers and ranchers in the Midwest, and especially on Southwest Nebraska. More importantly, we need to let the people who may be dictate who gets what know how tough it is right now for agriculture and our agribusinesses.

So take a minute "now" and call our elected officials and then go one step further and contact the White House, Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader:

President George Bush

White House Switchboard

(202) 456-1414

The Honorable Dennis Hastert (R-Il)

Speaker of the House

(202) 225-0600

Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN)

Senate Majority Leader

(202) 224-3344

Ask them to support emergency disaster assistance for crop and livestock producers. Explain to the staff people how the drought has affected your business whether you are raising food, selling pickups or tractors, lending money, selling supplies, etc. We all need to be heard if we are feeling the effects of this drought.

Dan Ladenburger,

Stratton

President, Hithcock County Farm Bureau