The article is entitled "In Texas. a Grim New Appalachia." It describes the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. part of which spills over into the 23d Congressional District of Texas. The population of the valley is approximately 250.000. That population is 95 percent MexicanAmerican. In two south Texas counties. Starr and Maverick. unemployment in April reached 46 percent and 34 percent. The average per capita income in those counties is less than $3.000 per year. placing them last and nexttolast among Texas 254 counties. I want my colleagues to know about these conditions. 25 years ago. when newscasters aired programs on the "Harvest of Shame" in migrant communities in Texas. California. and the Southwest. Washington responded by initiating reform programs.