I want to applaud Senator LUGAR for his persistence in establishing this program and know that it will begin delivering benefits to farmers in the next few years. While the research provisions of the bill were a top priority. the crop insurance components are also very important. because they provide the needed ability for farmers to manage the risk that is going to be inherent in the marketplace certainly as we move away from many direct subsidies to farmers. But one other important component was the restoration of food stamp benefits for certain groups of legal immigrants and refugees and asylees. Many people in this body have criticized this provision. but I take exception to that. As part of the Balanced Budget Act we passed last year. we tried to provide some I think responsible reforms to the welfare act that many of us voted for in a bipartisan fashion. We are not turning our back on welfare reform. What we are trying to do is provide some important assistance to some people who we invited into our country that have been important contributors to our society. I am particularly pleased about this because in my district I am home to a large number of Hmong refugees who will be benefiting from these provisions. Oftentimes. we forget the sacrifices that these Hmong and Lao refugees have provided our country in participating in the secret war. participating alongside of our soldiers in the Vietnam War. saving many of their lives. I do not think we have to make any apologies for providing a restoration of food stamp benefits to some of these individuals who we invited into our country and provided service to our country. Mr.
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refugees immigrants