For Release: Monday, October 30, 2000
Contact: Maggie Quaranto, (202) 225-5661

COSTELLO APPLAUDS PRESIDENT ON SIGNING OF AGRICULTURE SPENDING BILL

WASHINGTON-- US Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) applauded President Clinton on signing the Fiscal Year 2001 Agriculture Appropriations bill. The President signed the $18.5 billion bill on October 28th.

"I was pleased that President Clinton signed the $18.5 billion bill which includes $3.5 billion in emergency funds," said Costello. "The emergency funding will enable eligible soybean farmers in our area recover funds from crop loss due to weather related incidents within the last year."

Funding included in the FY2001 Agriculture Appropriations Bill includes:

* $828.4 million for Farm Service Agency. FSA helps with the delivery of services for disaster loan programs, farm operating and farm ownership programs.
*Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. Provides $400 million in funding to bring telemedicine initiatives to rural areas.
*$ 1.2 billion for Food and Drug Administration. Helps ensure food safety and allows for US pharmacies to re-import American made prescriptions from Canada and certain other countries in order to take advantage of the lower prices abroad.
*$150 million for Meals on Wheels. This program ensures seniors in our area and throughout the country receive daily meals.

The bill also lifts the ban on food and medicine exports to Cuba and other nations, which will allow for farmers to increase their markets.

Costello has been a strong supporter of increasing agriculture funding to extend these initiatives and supported final passage of this legislation when it came before Congress earlier this month.

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