Control Number: 4143415

MA.IORITV MEMBDIS
C. W. BILL YOUNG, FLORIDA. CHAIRMAN
RALPH REG<JI.A. OHIO
lE\\nS_ CACIFOFU<III.
Z
'" JAN "''
v;,U _..,
JO>II'< EDWARD f'(IRTER. ILLI>IOIS
HAROlD
JOE SKEEN. MEXICO
WOlf_ VL!'GINIA
TOM DlAY. TEXAS
'tinittd 'tares
JIM KOLBE, ARIZONA
RON PACKAI10, CALIFORNIA
SONNY CAllAHAN, AlABAMA
JAMES T WALSH. NEW YORK
H TAYLOR NORTH CAROUNA
DAVIDL HOBSON,O .. KJ
ERNEST! ISTOOK. JR, OK .... HOMA
HHIRY IIONIL.lll.. TEXAS
JOE KNOLLENBEI\0. MICHIGAN
MillER, FlORIDA
JAY DICKEY. ARI:ANSAS
JACK KINGSTON,
AODNOY P Fi1t'LINGINI'SCI( NEW JERSEY
f WICKER. MISSISSIPPI
OEORGE R NETHERCun, JR. WASHINGTON
RANDY "OIJo:.E" CUNNINQHAM, CAUFORNIA
TODD TIAHRT. KANSAS
ZACH WAMP, UNNESSOE
TOM lATHAM. IOWA
ANNE M NORTHUP. KENTUCKY
ROBERT B. ADERHOlT, II.LABAMA
JOANN MISSOURI
JOI\Iol E S\JNUNU. loii;W HAMPSHIPI<
KAY UKAS
JOHN E PETERSON. PENNSYlVANIA
ROY BlUNT. MISSOUI\j
mouse of lR.cprcsrntatllfCJI
ttommittcc on ;appropriations
'llilashington, Bit 20515-6015
December 15, 1999
Honorable Richard Rominger
Deputy Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14
1
h Street and Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Mr. Secretary:
4 1
MINORITY MEMBERS
DAVIDA. OBEY. WISCON$1'1
JOHN P, MURTHA,
NORMAN 0 DICKS, WA$1UNGTOOI
MARTIN <XAV SABO, MINNESOTA
JUliAN C. DIXON, CALIFORNIA
SHNY H_ HOVER MARYlAND
AlAN B. MOUOHAOI. WEST VIRGINIA
MARCY KAPTUR, OHIO
NANCYPlilOSI, CALIFORNIA
PETER J VISCLOSKY.INOIANA
NITA M. LOWEY, YORK
JOSEE SI'.RRAOIO. NlWVORK
ROSA l. D<LALIRO, CONOIECTICUT
JAMES P. MORAN. VIRGINIA
JOHNW OLVER. MASSACHU5TTS
EO PASTOR, ARIZONA
CARRIE P. MEEK. FLORIDA
DAVID. PRICE. NORTH CAROLINA
MICHAEl P FORBES. NEWVOAK
CHH EDWARDS, TEXAS
ROBERT E "BUD" CRAMER, JR., ALABAMA
MAURICE D 'lEW
lUCillE ROYML-ALL.ARD. CALIFORNIA
SAM FARR, CACifORNIA
L JR lllli><OIS
CAROlYN C KILPATRICK, MICHIGAN
ALLEOI BOYD, FLORIDA
ClEJU: AND STAFF D<RECTOR
JAMESW OYER


This is in response to your Jetter ofNovember 23. 1999, requesting approval for
the transfer of funds within the Agricultural Research Service's Buildings and Facilities
account. The Committee has no objection to this request.
Sincerely,
een, Chairman
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
Development, FDA, and Related
Agencies
Control Number: 4145354
HAROLD ROGERS
STH OISliiiCT.
COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS

W8COtAMoneE 01\1 COMMERCE.
JUS net. STATE. AtiO liiE JUOICIA!ti
(} :: . :- . E X f C' \1 E
> .. : .: ; :. -: lJ :. J /P,LEASE RESPOND TO:
\II(;ECHAIR .... I\I
SUBGOMMmEE ON ENERGY
AI\IDWATEA OEVELOPIIIENT
rongrrss of tht 1anittd
0 Go:ll MAIN STREET
...ZARD. J.Y 41701
leotll 439-494 NEMIA. SU8COMIIIITTEE ON
l'llANSPOIITAnON
iltoust of Rtprtstntatiur.s
Ulashington, 19<! 20515-1705
January 27. 2000
United States Department of Agriculture
Congressional Liaison
Room 213-A
14th and Independence
Washington, D.C. 20250
RE:
0 80e ttAI\!St!Y8LVD.
PIKE\IILI.Ii, KV 41601
(606/432-
PROBLEM: The above named constituents have contacted me regarding the WIC
program. indicates in the enclosed letter that he was recently prohibited from
buying quantities in excess of 10 cans of a certain brand of infant formula from a local
grocer.
According to -he restriction applied because he was a cash customer rather
than a WIC customer. Does the WIC program dictate to participating grocers that each
store must keep a set quantity of certain products available for its WIC customers?
Please respond to the concerns of-to the best of your ability. If the jurisdiction
over this issue rests within another office, please forward my inquiry accordingly. You
may contact my constituent using the infonnation above if you have additional questions.
I would like you to document your findings and direct a copy of your response to my
Pikeville District Office so that I may reply to my constituent. Thank you for your kind
and continued cooperation in these matters.
Sincerely,
,I ! f/'-
ct
Member of Congress
HR:dd
Congressman Harold Rogers
601 Main Street
Hazard, KY 41701
Dear Congressman Rogers:
Enclosed are copies of the letters I am sending to the
local newspapers, The Hazard Hera1d Newspaper and The
Perry County News. I have requested each of the papers to
publ i sh the article I submitted to them regarding an
experience I had at the Hazard Winn-Dixie store.
In supply i ng you with the enclosed letters, I want to make
you aware of this problem and ask if you feel the
situation merits any type of investigation or follow up.
By the store telling me that they would ''lose money .. if
they sold the Similac, without limits, to a non-WIC
part i cipant, or to a cash-paying customer like myself, I
cannot help but believe the store is somehow overcharging
the WIC Program. Does this sound like price gouging to
you? It does to me.
I personally feel the store should
reasons explained in my enclosed
If you agree with me, perhaps you
your office check into the matter.
be investigated for the
"Letter to the Editor".
can have someone from
Thank you for hearing me out about this i ncident, and a
reply from your office would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
JDN/fbn
Enc.
4145354
FEB 2 3 2000
The Honorable Harold Rogers
Member, U.S. House of Representatives
806 Hambley Boulevard
Pikeville, Kentucky 41501
Dear Congressman Rogers:
letter on behalf of your constituent,
,.,..-. .., ....... concern regarding the 1 0-can limit on the
grocer.
While we can appreciate M- concern, this is a store policy and is not a
requirement of the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and
Children (WIC).
Many WIC State agencies require that authorized stores maintain a minimum stock and
variety ofWIC-approved supplemental food items to maintain their WIC authorization.
This requirement is often necessary to ensure that stores are able to provide WIC
participants with all the supplemental food items contained on WIC food instruments
at the time of purchase. When we contacted the Wino-Dixie corporate headquarters,
Mr. Doug Flick told us that the Hazard store had experienced problems with infant
formula inventory and that the Winn-Dixie corporate office had instituted a store policy

cash urchases of infant formula at its Hazard store. Please contact Mr. Flick at
r more specific information regarding this policy. As noted above,
sue a po tcy IS neither required nor endorsed by the WIC Program.
If we can be of further assistance, pJease let us know.
Sincer 1 ,
/'l
..4-- /,;:/
,, . l't
/ /I , '. ..., .

Dorothy R. cafd'w;u'- -"'---
Deputy Administrator
Special Nutrition Programs
cc: The Honorable Harold Rogers
U.S. House of Representatives
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
D.C. 20515-1705
Peggy Fouts, SERO
Kentucky WIC State agency
OGAa/
OES
Control Number: 4149391
C. W. BILL YOUNG, R.ORIDA, CH.r.tRPAAN
RALP!l REGULA. OHIO
JERRY LEWIS,
';': Exr i"il-I''C

JOliN P. PENNSYLVANIA
?ijfiQ f-:AI" I b
11 JU C. , IFORNIA
S H. YLANO
JOHN 0WARO I'ORTER,IU.INOIS
HAROLD ROGERS,
JOE NEW MI!"XICO
FRANKR WOI.J',VIRGINIA
TO"" O.LAY, TEXAS
Jl"" KOLBE.
RON PACKARO. CALIFORNIA
SONNY CALLAHAN. ALABAMA
JAMES T. NEW
<Ulngrcss of the ilnitcd ___
;<llf1, -
CHARLES H. TAYLOR >;OATH CAROLINA
OJ\VlO L. OHIO
ERNOST J.ISTOOI(. JR . OKI.AiiO!,IA
HENFIY BONILlA TEXAS
.IOE ""!OiiGAN
DAN MILLER. FLORIOA
JAY ARt:ANSAS
JACK GEORGIA
IIOONEV P FRELI .. GHlJYSEN. m.W JERSEY
ROGER f. WICKER. MISSISSIPf'l
GEORGE R. NfTHERCUTT, JR., WASHINGTON
AANDV CALIFORNIA
TOOO TIAHRT, KANSAS
ZACI!WA..,P. TEN...OSSEE
TCW
ANN M ...
fiO!I.ERT 8. ADERI<OL T. AI.ABAio!A
JO A .. N EMERSOOI, MISSOURI
JOHN E. SUNUNU. NEW I!AMPSitiRE
KAY GfiANGEit TEXAS
JOHN E. PETERSO ... PENNSYLVANIA
VIRGIL II. GOOOE. JR., VlfiGINIA
Honorable Dan Glickman
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Mr. Secretary:
ut00SC Of 'RQJftsClltaODC.S
R' ' (il JAMI:S P MORAN
""ommltttc on .Z;lppropnanons JOI-I .. W
EO PASTOR. ARIZOtiA
>no h' CARRIEP.MEEK.FLORIDA
was mgton Jl:'"" 20CJC-60J C OJ\ VIDE- PfiiCE, NO!lTH CAIIOUNA
' J J J MICHAELP.FOfiBE'S,tiEWVORK
CHl' EDWAROS, TEXAS
March 14,2000
35-4149391
APHIS
LUOI.LE RDVBAt-ALLARO. CALIFOftNIA
SAM FARA, CALifORNIA
JESSE L. JACKSON, Jfl. llUND4S
CAIIOL YN C. KILPATIIICK, MICHIGAN
ALLEN BOYO, FLORIDA
CLERK AND STAFf DIRECTOI'I
JAMES W. OYER
lELEtPHONEo
12WI22S-B'l
I am writing to request your assistance in addressing the grasshopper and Mormon cricket
infestation in the States of Utah and Idaho. As you likely know, grasshoppers and crickets are
causing considerable damage to the aforementioned states. Utah alone had over 1.5 million acres
ofland infested with Mormon crickets and grasshoppers in 1999. Unfortunately, and unless the
situation is promptly addressed. the potential damage in 2000 could dwarf 1999.
Evidently, APHIS has a preliminary estimate of a $1.3 million need for crop protection.
Accordingly, I would strongly encourage you to employ the Department's existing authority,
subject to official requests from the affected states, to alleviate the looming crisis before
additional damage is done.
Thank you for your support and immediate attention to this pressing matter.
Sincerely,
oe Skeen, Chainnan
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,
FDA, and Related Agencies
Control Number: 4166741
C. W. BI.L YOUNG, FLORIDA, CHAIRMAN
AALPH OHIO
JERRY lEWIS,
.'-
.. .
' ... ; ., i J
DAVIDA. OBfY. WISCONSI'l
JOHN P MUPTH.>,
NORM"N 0 DICO:S. WASHINGTON
MARTIN MltltlESOTA
JULIA'l CALIFORN"'
STENY H. HOl'EA, MAIWLANO
JOH'l EOWAAil f>ORTEI\ ILLitlOIS
HAROLD ROG!RS, KEtllUO:Y
JOE NIOW MEXICO
FRANK R WOlF, VIRGI'fiA
TOM DeLAY, y,;xAS
Q:ongtrmSi afrd:bc tlnitcd
ALAN 8. MOlLOIIAN. WEST \IIRGINIA
MARCY OHIO
JIM KOlBE, AFIZONA
RON PACKAAC, CAliFOIINIA
SOtltlY CALLAHAN, ALABAMA
JAMiiST WAlSH, NliWYOfiK
- .
'*"NCY "<LOSt I:ALIFOANIA
PETER J VISt:LOSKY. INDIANA
NITAM LOWEY.tlEWYOI1K
JostE. SERI'ANJ. NEW YORK
ROSA L OLAUA:l-. CONNECTICUT
JAMES P. MCRAN, VIRGINIA
CHARt..ES H T11YlOR. 'lOATH CAROliNA
l. H08!0N. OHIO
ER'IEST J. ISTo}()l(, JR., OIILAHOMA
HENRY BONillA. TEXAS
; '-Jio.tt.Q( 'Rcprcsmtatiocs
2lppropriations
20515-6015
JOHN W OLVER, MASSACHUSETTS

JOf_ MICHIGAN
OA'l MillER FlOf!IOA
JAY DICKEY,
CARRIE P. MEEK, FLORIDA
DAVIDE PAI(:E. !<OATH CAROliNA
MICHAEl P FORaliS. NW
CHET EDWARDS, TEXAS
JACK KINGSTON, GEORGIA
RODNEY P. NEW JERSEY
ROGER f_ INICI:ER, MISSISSIPPI
ROBERT E "EUD" CRAMER, JR .. AlABAMA
MAURKE 0_ lllNCHH. NEW YORK
GEORGIO R ""'IHEACUTT. JR, WASHINGTON
RANDY "DUKE" CUtlNINGHAM. C.lt.IFOR'll"
1000 TIAHRT, KANSAS
LUCILLE AOVIML-ALLARD, CAliFORNIA
SAM FARR, CALII'ORN"'
ZACHWAMP, l EtltlESSaE
TOM LATHAM.ICMA
November 29, 2000
L. .. ILLINOIS
CAROlYN C. KILFATRICK. MICHIGAN
ALLEN BOYD, Fllloi\IOA
AtlNE M_
ROBERT 8. AOiiAHOL T,
JO AtlN EMEA:;QN, MIS$0URI
JOH'l E SUtlU'lU, tlEWIHAM>'SHIAE
KAY TEX...S
CLERK AND ST...-F DIRECfOR
JAMES W_ OYER
JOH'l E- PTEFSON, P'1NSVLVA'IIA
VIRGIL H GOOJE. JR ..
""'f"
1'rl'
' ..
..
f-1
the Honorable Dan Glickman
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Mr. Secretary:
35-4166?41
fs
For fiscal year 2001 the Congress provided significant increases to the
Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to address wildland fire issues. This funding
signifies a new era of wildfire management designed to put fire back into the ecosystem.
This new approach is designed to address forest heath and the serious issues facing the
Nation's communities that exist in the urban-wildland interface.
The Committee believes that the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture need
to view fire management and science issues from a National perspective and not continue
to rely on business as usual practices. To this end, there needs to be a doubling of efforts
by Interior and Agriculture to coordinate and cooperate to realize common goals and
priorities. The Committee does not want to see the two Departments put in place a new
bureaucracy, but irisists thai program and financial mechanisms be put in piace to ensure
that the appropriate work is being done. We also encourage both Departments to work
with the Western Governors Association to help determine priority areas for management
action.
The Committee realizes that the two Departments have a fairly large nwnber of
hazardous fuels treatment projects in the wildland-urban interface ready to go. and the
Departments want to show on-the-ground accomplislnnents during this first year of the
program. The Committee encourages the Departments to move forward as expeditiously
as possible, but to do so in a coordinated manner that allocates resources to those areas
where the greatest benefit can be obtained.
-----------
I .,
'
FC .'
' >

---=
w
"'
November 29, 2000
The Honorable Dan Glcikman
November 29, 2000
The Committee also realizes that these projects cannot go forward without the
appropriate environmental documentation, especially the consultation requirements of the
Endangered Species Act. The Committee directs that the Departments develop a plan to
deal with the consultation requirements of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) without adversely impacting ongoing
consultations not related to the wildfire program. Funds provided for 2001 in the
Wildland Fire Management account are available to support FWS and NMFS costs for
consultation on a reimbursable basis. However. the Committee notes that additional
funds were not appropriated to the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine
Fisheries Service to do wildfire related consultations and it is not the intention of the
Committee to pennanently increase the size of the Fish and Wildlife Service or the
National Marine Fisheries Service endangered species programs under the guise of
providing for the fire program. The Department should look at all appropriate measures,
like tenn or temporary employment or contracting out this work, and any other
appropriate methods of ensuring that this work is done in a timely manner.
The Committee believes that equipment purchases must begin immediately,
because the suppliers of engines, aircraft, helicopters, and other equipment begin
manufacture of products once ordered, and retain no standing inventory. This could
result in a lag of equipment delivery, after purchase orders are issued, of 18 to 24 months.
The Committee expects that a schedule for prompt equipment purchases will be outlined
in the Action Plan due to the Committee on January 9, 2000.
Lastly, the Committee suggests that the Departments of the Interior and
Agriculture establish a quarterly meeting schedule with the Committee to review ongoing
program issues and accomplishments related to the national wildfire plan.



Subcommittee on Interior
and Related Agencies
Control Number: 4172893
C. W. BILL YOUNG, FLORIDA, CHAIRMAN
REGULA, OHIO
JERRY LEWIS. CAL,;OAI<IA
JOHN OOWARD PORTER ILLINOIS
HAROLDAOOORS
JOO S<OEN. NEW MEXICO
R WOLF.
TOM DeLAY TEXAS
JIM <OLBf ARIZONA
RON PACKARD, CALIOANIA
SONNY CALLAHAN ALABAMA
JAMfS T WALSH NOW YORK
lionyress or the \inited
<;HARLES H. TAYLOR. NORTH CAROUI<A
DAVID L. HOBSON, OHIO
i;ANEST J IS1DOK JR OKLI>J-<OMA
HENRY BONILLA. TI;XAS
JOE KNOLLENBORG, MICHIGA"
DAN MILLOR, FLORIDA
JAY ARKANSAS
JACK KINGSTON, GEORGIA
ROONEY P FRELINGHUYSEN. NI;W JERSEY
RoGER F WICKER. MISSISSIPPI
GCQRGE R "tlHERCUTI JR WASHINGTON
RANDY CUNNINGHAM CALIFORNIA
TODOTIAHRT KANSAS
ZACH WAMP, TENNESSEO
TOM LATHAM, IOWA
ANNE M NORTHUP KENTUCKY
ROBERT B ADORHOLT AlABAMA
JOANN OM EASON MISSOURI
JOHN 0 SUNUNU. NOW HAMI'SHIRO
KAY GRANGER TEXAS
JOHN 0 PETERSON PENNSYLVANIA
VIRGilH GOODE. JR VIRGINIA
The Honorable Ann M. Veneman
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Madam Secretary:
tuusc of 'Rcprcscntatiocs
ltommittrr on gppropriations
ttJashington, Bit 2051H015
March 12, 200 I
35-4172893
FS
DAVID R OBOY WISCONSIN
JOHN P MURTHA PENNSYLVANIA
NORMAND DICKS WASHINGTON
MARTIN OLAV SABO MINNESOTA
JULIAN C DIXON CALIFORNIA
STENY H0Y0R MMYLANO
ALAN B MOLLOHAN W'iST VIRGINIA
MARcY KAPTUR OHIO
NANCY POLOSI CALIFORNIA
PETER J \ii$Ci.DSKY INDIANA
NITAM i.OWEV NOW YORK
JOSE E NEW YORK
ROSA L D'LAURO
!AMOO P MORAN VIRG,NIA
JOHN W OLVER
ED PASTOR ARIZQ'-JA
CARRIE P MEEK, 'lORIDA
DAVID E PRICE NORTH CAROliNA
MICHAOL P FORBES. NOW YORK
CHET EDWARDS TEXAS
ROBERT E SUO CRAMOR, JR ALABAMA
MAURICE D HI .. CHEY, NEW YORK
LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD CALIFORNIA
SAM FAAR CALI,OANIA
JOSSE L ,AC<SON, ,A I,U,.,OS
CMOLYN C KILPATRICK MICHot;AN
ALLEN BOYD 'LORIDA
ClOAK AND STA'f O'RECTOR
JAM(S W DYER
TOLEPHONE-
<101115---1"1
We congratulate you on your new position as Secretary and we look forward to working with you
on important matters regarding the U.S. Forest Service. This letter responds to your March 8letter
concerning the transfer of certain Forest Service funds to cover anticipated inc.-reases in acquisition
management costs and for a partnership effort at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, TN. The Committee :s
pleased to approve th1s matter We understand that you will transfer $2,500,000 of the national forest
system appropriation from the planning, inventory and monitoring funds to the land acquisition
management activity within the land acquisition appropriation.
The Committee is pleased with progress being made by the land acquisition staff at the Forest
Service who are completing complicated and important projects with considerable efficiency. We
encourage you to keep us informed if additional acquisition management funds are needed this year to
adequately proceed on the many Administration and Congressional projects which were added in Title
VIII. We do not want approved projects to be delayed due to insufficient acquisition management
resources. The Committee is also very pleased that your staff continues to use land acquisition project
funds for that purpose only and does not allow the use of project funds for management costs.
If you have any questions concerning these matters, please contact us at our Committee office.
Thank you very much for your help.

Ranking Minority Member
Subcommittee on Interior
and Related Agencies

Joe Skeen
Chainnan
Subcommittee on Interior
and Related Agencies
Control Number: 4179920
MITCH McCONNELL
coMMinoos
361-A RUSSELL SE:NATE OFFICE BuiLDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1702
{202) 224-2541

RULES AND ADMINISTRATION,
AGRICULTURE
APPROPRIATIONS
Sueco""''"' .ON

June 11, 2001
Mr. J. David Carlin
Assistant Secretary
Congressional Relations
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jamie L. Whitten Bldg. Room 213-A
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Mr. Carlin:
JUDICIARY
This letter is in reference to Donald and Claris Amburgey (Account# 4444881 and4444878). Their
attorney contacted my office regarding the difficulty they are having in obtaining information
concerning a release of mortgage. For your convenient reference, I have enclosed a copy of her
correspondence.
Since I want to be responsive to all constituent inquiries, your prompt consideration, findings and
views concerning the enclosed will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you at
your earliest convenience.
Please send your response to my state office at 601 West Broadway, Suite 630, Louisville, Kentucky
40202. It should be sent to the attention of Mr. Patrick D. Justice. He can be reached at (502) 582-
6304 for further infonnation.
Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
Sincerely,
MITCH McCONNELL
UNITED STATES SENATOR
MM/inl
Bu!CONG
241 E. MA>N ST.HT
ROOM 102
BOWCING GREEN. KY 42101
\2701781-1673
1885 DIX>E HIGHWAY
SuiTE 345
FORT WRIGHT. KY 41011
18591 578-<l1SS
771 DRoVE
SutT 530
lEXINGTON. KY 405()3
{8591 224--13286
05-41?9920
RHS
301 MAIN STREET
LONOON, KY 40741
)6()61 864-2026
601 WEST
SUITE 630
lOUISVILLE, KY 40202
15021582-6304
ARTS BUICD,NG
100
2320
KY42001
12701 442-4554
Senator Mitch McConnell
ELAM & MILLER, P.S.C
2401 Regency Road, Suite 201
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 277 4849
771 Corporate Drive, Suite 530
Lexington, KY 40503
May 14,2001
Dear Senator McConnell,
Last year our law office handled a real estate transaction. This year, our
law office and citizens are having difficulty obtaining a
release of mortgage from Center in St. Louis, Missouri
regarding that same transaction. One year has elapsed since our law office submitted
payment in accordance with the written payoff statements provided by both the Fann
Service Agency and Rural Development. This month, the Fann Service Agency finally
released the applicable liens. However, Rural Development insists that one lien remains
unpaid and therefore, unreleased.
I have personally provided the Central Servicing Center with copies of the written
payoff statements provided by their office on April 2000 and the cancelled checks for the
payment of same. Enclosed please find those copies. Also, please find a copy of the
letter that was recently submitted to USDA, Rural Development, Central Servicing
Center in St. Louis, Missouri. This lener sets forth the history of the transaction.
It is our hope that perhaps your office could assist us in finding a more timely
resolution to the problem. We are unable to determine: I) which loan remains unpaid 2)
the book and page number ofthe applicable recorded mortgage 3) and generally, why a
lien remains unreleased. will be greatly appreciated by
both our law office and by If the Wlteleased lien is due to an
error made by our law office, we are course anx1ous to correct the problem.
Kimberlin R. Wildman
Attorney at Law
ELAM & MILLER, P.S.C
"I fJ. 'I
2401 Regency Road, Suite 200 ,;J.t r 22 A:1 /Q; 4
7
Lexington, KY 40503 -
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Centralized Servicing Center
St. Louis, MO 63166
To Whom It May Concern:
(859) 277-4849
May 11,2001
Our office recently received a letter from the Centralized Servicing Center in St.
.............. , Missouri the decision to not release the lien on the account of-
The letter relates that the borrowers have one open loan with
the letter states that check number IIIII, issued by our law
firm, paid one of the loans ..... but was not enough to payoff both loans." Finally, a
current payoff statement was recently submitted to this office showing an unpaid balance
of -
The history concerning said payoff is as follows:
1) April 6, 2000, our law office received a re(llJest
regarding sellers (your
2) On April 18, 2000 our office wUIJ,U\,1\.l'-'\.l
the subject property and discovered the
office of the Menifee County Clerk
examination regarding
of record in the
3) On April 19, 2000, our office two wnnen payo statements. payoff
statement is from Rural Housing Service, Centralized Servicing Center in the
amount of second payoff statement is from Farm Service Agency,
Mt. Sterling, concerning three loans with a total payoff amount of- Our
file notes indicate that our employee, - expressed concern that only four
payoff amounts were submitted while five mortgages remained of record. She
was assured by the Mt. Sterling office that one mortgage of record
had previously and simply not released. The written payoff
statement received by our office reflected the same.
&.Wl .. UV& .. uw .. .nJU UA" W.'-''-"'W1&> '9J,UV\&" "U"" Y'fJ& ..
authorization. On the second attempt, I was advised that I must produce the
borrowers social security number to receive account information. At this point, I
am becomin12: frustrated in attempting to communicate with the Central ServicinQ
4) On April 27, :woo our office closed the real estate transaction. We issued tv.:o
checks: One in the amount of check number
- in the amount each in accordance with the written payoff
statements. The to pay off three loans. We delivered by UPS
overnight delivery escrov.- checks along with two self-issued Mongage Payoff
Statements. The first Mongage Payoff Statement generated by our office
concerned the release of the - lien of record in Mortgage Book 17, Page
74. This lien is now released. The second Payoff Statement issued by
our was submitted in the amount of That second Statement
requests that the following mongages be and
- That same Mongage Payoff Statement del our ce states that,
'
4
Acceptance of the check by you will be relied upon as confirmation of payment
in full."
5) By May 1, 2000. both escrcw checks were ac,:eoteo.
6) About one year later, on March 9, 2001, a notice from
Rural Housing Service that his account,
past due." Shortly cornactea
closed the real estate transaction.
7) On AprilS, 2001 our office submitted copies of payoff statements issued by Rural
Housing and Farm Service Agency, copies of the two Mongage Payoff
Statements issued by our office, UPS overnight tracking receipts, a copy of the
HUD-1 Settlement Statement and two cancelled checks payable to FmHA. The
same docwnents were also faxed to - in the research department of the
Centralized Servicing Center in St. Louis. These documents were submitted as
proof that our office did pay in accordance with payoff statements and did submit
checks in the correct amounts in the year .:woo.
&) On April 16. 2001. about one year from the time of payoff, our office received, by
certified mai releases of the following mortgages from the Farm Service
Agency:
9) On May our received a letter from Rural Housing stating the
infonnation set fonh in the introductory paragraph to this letter. I.e. one lien
remains unreleased. The current payoff amount is now -
1 0) Upon receipt of the Jetter mentioned in 9) above, our office has twice attempted to
contact the Central ized Servicing Center at the telephone number they provided:
1-800-414-1226. On the first attempt, I was advised that I could not receive
further infonnation regarding the accoWtt without the borrowers Wiitten
authorization. On the second attempt, I was advised that I must produce the
borrowers social security number to receive account infonnation. At this point, I
am becoming frustrated in attempting to communicate with the Central Servicing
Center.
Please note, again, that the payoffs made by our law office in April 2000 were
pursuant to the written payoff statements provided by Rural Housing Service and the
Fann Service Agency. Were either of the offices unable to honor the payoff statements,
they should not have been provided to us. In addition, if either office suspected that
either payoff amount was insufficient to release the liens in full, the attorney escrow
checks should have been returned to our office. uncashed. The checks should not have
been cashed because the checks were submitted on April '2.7, 2000 with a written request
to release the liens. That written request states Acceptance of the check by you will be
relied upon as confirmation of payment in fun.
Although our office appreciates the research conducted by the Centralized Servicing
Center in attempting to address the unreleased lien, the research does not reflect: 1) what
loan was not paid off 2) where was the mongage for the loan recorded 3) why wasn't the
loan included in the payoff statements when requested and 4) why were the escrow
checks accepted for release of the liens when the liens were not released. Therefore, it is
difficult to understand how and why a lien remains unreleased. Please provide any
additional information you may have to help clarify the error. If you have any questions
or need any further information from our office, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kimberlin R. Wildman
Attorney at Law
CC: Senator Mitch McConnell
Representative Harold Rogers, 5th District
---------
.. , .. .... . , ..... . , .....
' .
-USDA
-
r
United Srls

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letteJ t or ec;h r:<o'-'n't . con1.-.:t the ..: er.t.r&l; .u:;J .. tii
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n1 a16f ... l ' .. ,,. 1\ll c.he. r,c accr')
INt aot nt I'Plill tbe acco"!
'11\e t !na l p.Oycnt aut:t l:. i tl\ far o c hitl' " .,_""k
ao4e pay .. lc to ocvelopaent, rol e
lnuuacnu vJ U e olelltt 11U1 proulllllf <>I th*
find paycat lu l>en 1111001 J rur till!! ulua
of a ll or>.,inol dcoc"""11t;. tho 1-l&nce e>l (M. j(
wJ Loebl , - 11 be c l ... e"-1 ln tono.y-five 1 ts1 dc:a y) \)y Tretu.ury
ChKl< to boi'T""i?l' . If borr""'r ' J d<lru: w!ll
Cht "'JI "'l 'f'J" ohould Cent u l h ed Snvl c !.1<9 C':nt n H
1-.ton ... ... t.o "" ... 't 1' "-"d h".o .a r r_,l.,.od
............... ... ,.
T"! "'"" THIMJ BAHK
1.1Xti()TO<, KV .o05Cl)
, ..... .,.
ELAM & UlllER, PSC
ATTOnNEYS Af l i\W
Ar.r::OtJIH
2o101 1'\F.GENCY no .. S I I! ?.0 I
lEXU4CHOtl. KV 40SIJ3
NO. -
U088
OA.! E
04/27/00
[ j l ;;
---!lr.
To:
Elnm & Miller, Altomcys nt Law
240 I Regency Sui4c 20 I
leJC inglon, Kenllt.;ky '11150.1
Telephone: ((06) 277 -ifH49
Fncsi111i lc: ( (j()(j ) 27 M-2207
MORTGAGE l'i\YOI' F STAlEMEl![
UsD It , S:,, "' ..... . ._L. _____ _
Subjec:l Properly
Please find enclo!<ed check from \11lr acc:uunt in lhc anout of
$1 to r.y in run ""'' (llr l'nrlinl tclcasc !lilly if illdicnted below) tho
above I nan based (Ill the inllrmatin fornishctl lly you. Acccptnnce of lhe
check by yu11 will be I'Ciic<l "1"111 cnnli1matiun of I'"YIUCIII in full.
In the. event lhli morfgiiRe !le<ures n line of ctcdil, sud1 ns an "equily line" morlpge,
you sue inslmctcd 10 cnncel said Jiuo or Ctcllil and tile :t uflhc IIIOIII,I.ngc Recuring
I'll Ill C.
Pursuant 1o Kentucky Rtvistd Statutes 31\2J6S, you are 1o file Mortgage
Release docunlcnl In I he Office uf !he t.'uun!y O>ull Cle1 k, 1 cfcrettcing
Morlgngc Buuk _.:_t _ _ . ..>f< _, ll(' ing (nr i r
bck>w), wilhi11 1hi1 'r (.lO) dny11 frum uf .. ,,. l'lcrk lt.11i nll lloc nmiling
address of . ... __ _ _ . --- ..
Kentucky 'iC ?. :tY . Sc11<.l llils with tc8 n li ng fl'<.! ur S'I.Citt check p:ty:thk: lu
Oerk. Uml<:t Kentucky law, fJ ilnrc to du c.,, .. )l >ll tn JlCtl!'llllcs :t ntVtt
li1 tion. nn\1 y(Jt.n rcll(lOnsibil fur CtHUt n1ut au .,,ky":t ICc. "\ it1
or !he J1fQ)'ICI1)' l?cing is ;L
LOT ___ _... IH ... OCK ___ _. UNIT---- SECriON _____ ,
-------------SUOOIVISION, I' LAT CABINET/BOOK-------
SUDI!/I'AGB __ CHY 01' - ----COUNTY UF . KENTUCKY.
Mortgngor's Forwnrdlug 1\<.ltlrcss:
r>ATI:: 'fj )7{fl)
BUYER: _ _ MOltTGAUI: CO . ._.b....,JtJ=----
',;' ! . .
_,. .. ,
l
the eatirnar.ed pay-off .uan11r. L to
as of M.n-ch 200ll.
Pr !m:ipa l GulancP. 11:11


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s.,tiii<J.i.dQ tJr.ra.i.cl a .-in.
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Daily lnt.eresL Accrual
"P:lyaff for :.-eh t.o:.an
rotal Payoc f
Th\ tt !igurP. 1a !JucQtl on
,,., (,r :
the 111any va..:i ubltw tnvc:oLv"d
recacture could r<:ISul t. in a
payof( ;amount.
.l
f) l
f'YI" I
If t:her., will be 11 tor tb: 0 $1!CIII .i.ty
ii'ISLz:ummtG 11hen payment in fllll ito ... t.bc
be in the '""'"' of ,!1f.thicr'li <">i chec:k or
SOIIIQ nt.het typP. by t.u trt>rP.!H:nt: o\ (urrn <:>( r;at.h
!lecurity i 1\Gtru11nm >l wJ 11 b..:
pruceu: \ 1'19 <..>( tM fino.l
Farm Alllt"'>l is an EqtJal OI!I)Ottullily ltndtt.
Compl&lnb or .ShOIIId ... to:
Secr<tbry of Wasllil'lgton, D.C. %0250
n& fll'lK t i!IM Bt-I<K
tE,.,...,OI'. I(V WoO")
1:)11ttt4
ELAM & MILLER, PSC
ATlOI\UEYS 1\T LAW
&SCAOVI ACCOUNT
1 nE<lt:tn;v 110 . Sl F.. 201
UoXING TOH. I<Y
110. -
440 00
. ----------
OAIE
04 / 21 {00

& Miller, Altomcy!! :.1 l.aw
2401 ltuacl, Suitt: 201
tcxinl!luu, Kenlud<y 1050.1
Tclcllhunc: ( Cltl(t) 277 -<1!W,
l'ilt:Sintilc; ((.Ctci. 27N-2207

To: fhlllA
Rl!: A<:<:omlt II
Subject Pm)IOoty
I'ICOSC lind a chock fhn IIIN' in lhc RIIIIMIIIt llf
In t>llY In full nntl (nt t:nti.'ll tdrnsc nttly If luditlllctl beluw) the
nbove described l<>:tn "" tloe infmnonliun y.no. A.:celllnnc:c nf the
check loy yutt wilt he tclictl llfltMI liS cttllii'Rl:IIKott oof llllYIIII'III in Iiiii.
In the event Ibis <O:ttte$ line of crcdil, s11th ns 011 "equity litoe" ino&lsasc,
y01o indntclcd 111 c:mcel line uf crc.til :111ol file n td<'MC of the mmlg.,fl.e securing
S.'IIIIC.
l'ursllfto\C to Kenhocl<y Stnlnles JRJ..](oS, you no to file n Mortgage
ltclcase ducmucnl in tltc 011ke uf llop _11.\t.I>. !.(\J .... ( 'monty (.'mnl Clet k, 1 clet eroci11c
Motlg113c IJOtlk ----!'age ]J-.. .... .. hcilll! (ut if imlicall'tl
bcloWI, whhln lhl!' the 11:11c ,,.. ( 'lak the 11110ilittt
''""" .,r

__ J.:r! .. ..,,,j._""'\ ..... :........... .. ----------------

Kc111ttclty with n oelt'tl::r. tet:molinft lt:e .. r \'Hill; d1cdt llitynblc lu
said Clctk. Ur11lcr Keutnclcy faihnc 111oh1 lulocnaltics,.amllor dvil
nnd your fur c'""' :uul :otlumc:y's rccs in
brittfliug lltoch litia:"ti .. u.
If litis tAyoff is (1111)' n ttartilll rclcnl:C of niHIVc the legl descrirtion
or lite bcingrclo:nsctl is lllllnw:;:
LOT ,IJLUCK , UtHT ------- SI\CIIUN ----
------------SUili.>IVISION, 1'1.1\1' 0\IJINHI'/UOHK ___ _,
SLII>EirAOtl __ {;II'Y 01' ------ COUI'-I'IY 0 1' .. ----- KI!N'IUCK. Y,
I'm tvattling Atld.-cl:s:
DY:
I>AI'U: 1_{1)0
MOIU'<JAul! CO. --&rJ:t..::::.rJ:.__ __
Control Number: 4179920
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
United States Senator
601 West Broadway, Suite 630
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Dear Senator McConnell:
dated June 11, 2001, on behalf of your corlstrtuCJnt
JUL I 3 2001
regarding the release of mortgage on their Rural Housing Service
Rural housing programs are administered by RHS, an Agency within the
,.,.,...,,...,,....,.,n., of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area.
A letter was also received from Ms. Kimberlin Wildman on May 11,2001, which the
Centralized Servicing Center (CSC) responded to back on May 31, 2001. A copy of that letter
. . letter explained that esc mailed a payoff on both
on March 10, 2000. CSC received a call from
, advising that she had only received a payoff on one of the
set of payoffs was sent to them the same day.
Ms. Wildman responded with a letter to CSC dated June 13, 2001. A copy of that letter is also
enclosed for your information. The letter stated they had received the payoff information from
a third pat1y and not directly from esc, funds were still due before releasing the mortgage.
She requested that CSC accept the . . date of
May 1, 2000, and requested an update on bureau reporting to
remove the delinquency.
On June 14, 2001, CSC notified Ms. Wildman that her terms were agreed upon, the additional
funds were sent to pay the other loan in full and were applied with an effective date of May 1,
2000. The information was sent to the credit bureaus to update Mr. and Mrs. Ambergey's
reporting.
Ms. Wildman was informed that if she did not receive the Release of Lien information within
30 days ofCSC's receipt of the funds, to contact the local field office in West Liberty,
Kentucky at (606) 743-3193.
Wildman's concerns
contact the CSC Customer
RHS loans.
et>T1eserttati1ves at (800) 414-
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
We hope this infollJlat ion is helpful to you in responding to your constituents.
Sincerely,
~
JAMES C. ALSOP
Acting Administrator
Rural Housing Service
Enclosures
cc:
e..
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
United States Senate
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1702
cc:
USDA Rural Housing Service
Centralized Servicing Center
Congressional Support Services
Attention: FC-25
1520 Market Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63 103
cc:
CB - FILE COPY
CB- Lewis
CB- Suspense
SFH- J. Leavitt
LAP AS - B. Morton
State Director- Kentucky
NOTE TO FILE: Draft letter was provided by Cathy Miller, CSC on 6/29/01. A privacy
release letter was not provided with Sen. McConnell' s letter, but was given permission to
receive information from CSC directly. CSC has corresponded with Sen. McCoiUlell on
numerous occasions. Dates contacted: 6/22, 6/26. (7/2/01)
DRAFT:CB:ALewis:tb:7-2-01 :720- 1022:05-4179920:FINAL:7-IO-Ol
-
2
Control Number: 4185218
HAROLD ROGERS

COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS

SUBCOMMinH OtJ TRANSPORTATION
ON <:OMMERCE JUSTICE.
STATE 7HE )VOICIMY
SUBCOMMiflEE ON ENI:RGY AND
"'-A D"'ELD""'<'IT
.

.
.
.
......
<tongrcss of the tinitcd
letousc of Rcprcscntatiocs
'lllashington, flQ: 20ilHi05
August 20,2001
PLEASE RESPOND TO
WASHINGTON 0"1CE'
0
WAS>!JNGTON, OC 15!705
1102 ,.......,,
DISTRICT OF"CES
D CCIFTY STREET
SOMERSET n 425{11
6001 079-8346 OR
I -BDO-l;J>-3588
[J eQI MAIN STREET
HAZARD n 4"01
0
'""'" 4)9-"'"'
CO.-eGE ST
SUIT1 R00Mll2
PIKEVILLE. KY 41 501
'"""' 4Jl-.Jl88
The Honorable Ann Veneman
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
220-AADMBG
Washington, D.C. 20505
35-4185218
RHS
Dear Madam Secretary:
It has come to my attention that Breathitt County Fiscal Court, located in Breathitt County,
Kentucky, has submitted an application for financial assistance through the Rural Housing Services
Community Facilities grant program. Breathitt County is located in a remote and poverty-stricken area of
Appalachia Kentucky. and I am writing today to urge your strongest consideration of their application.
Specifically, the fiscal court has proposed to renovate the historic Jefferson Hotel, located in
Jackson, Kentucky, into the Breathitt County Skills Center. Not only will this project preserve an
important historical structure, but more importantly establish an education and workforce development
facility for the benefit of the local citizenry. With professional assistance from local community colleges,
persons of all ages will be able to access the center's services, assess their educational background and
needs, and obtain skills to prepare for the workforce. Alternatives like the Breathitt County Skills Center
is important to southeastern Kentucky where many persons, especially teenagers, are at-risk students and
sometimes unable to pursue a college education. The fiscal court is seeking $300,000 to meet matching
fund requirements and has the support of many local officials and businesses. As you review their
application, I hope you will take this local support and dedication in account and grant Breathitt County
Fiscal Court it's request.
Again, thank you for your considertion. If I can be offurther assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact me or David Ccnn.eHy, of my staff.
Sincerely,

HAROLD ROGERS
Member of Congress
Cc: Kenneth Slone, Rural Development- Kentucky State Office
Control Number: 4185218
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250
The Honorable Harold Rogers
U.S. House of Representatives
2406 Raybum House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1705
Dear Congressman Rogers:
OCT 2 9 2001
On behalf of Secretary Veneman, thank you for your letter dated August 20, 2001, in support
of the application submitted by the Breathitt County Fiscal Court (BCFC) for a Conununity
Facilities (CF) grant to renovate the historic Jefferson Hotel located in Jackson, Kentucky.
The CF program is administered by the Rural Housing Service, an Agency within the
Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area.
We are pleased to advise you that the BCFC application for $300,000 was obligated for
funding on September 20, 2001. We understand the importance of this project to the residents
of Jackson, Kentucky, and you may be assured that Rural Development personnel stand ready
to provide all possible assistance to help your constituents in making this project a success.
Thank you again for letting us know of your support.
Sincerely,
MICHAEL E. NERUDA
Deputy Under Secretary
Rural Development
Control Number: 4224767
HAROLD- '10GERS

rlOMt'LAND
,,.,_. C''< '";' ;'.i''N1>,; >l ":):
'"''-""'.! .-- .--.-:- ;- ""' .... ,: . :.-:."'' "-
_-,,;,- 'l f Cfi '0 :,
T-' "'" >.;f<'i.' :<.P< ,,,0 i :r;
;M,:FH:',f:'<!
ofthc United States
t1ousc of Rcprrsrntatiurs
'!.11lashinyton, B<f. zom-1;os
July 2, 2003
: ___ ).WI, ,.:,_:0! C'
.--,
: __ )
.w-:;,,:;c;-r;;r: "'_.,,,., <:t>
,, . , ...
'">' ou<. s-:-eE
,_, -<2:m
<:)1.,
, _ _,., ..
,, .. _-, .. _-- , :
.. _.,,.,,_,.,_..,_,,.
,
0--<''-' >'' ,;,o-;
United States Department of Agriculture
Congressional Liaison
Room 213-A
14th and Independence
Washington, D.C. 20250
05-4224767
FSA
Re: The Honorable Albert Robinson
1249 South Main Street
London, KY 40741
Social Security Number:
Dear Friend:
According to the information I have. received, Please refer to the enclosed and advise me
of your findings regarding any plans to move the USDA Farm Services office in McKee.
Your assistance in this matter will be greatly Please refer all correspondence
in this regard to my District Office in Somerset, Kentucky.--
HR:rf
Thanking you in advance for your ldnd cooperation in this regard, I remain
- ' I ' '''. "'' ',
Sincer ly,
Hl\ROLD ROGERS
Member of Congress
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
STATE SENATE
The Honorable Harold Rogers
United States Congressman
2406 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515-1702 (?

Dear Congressrnan'Rogers:
June 5, 2003
The Jackson County Conservation District has notified me of the proposed closing of the
Ag Credit Headquarters of the USDA Fann Service Agency located in Jackson County at McKee,
Kentucky. The plans under consideration are to relocate it in Somerset in Pulaski County. I
believe this will inflict undue hardships on the people who use this facility to secure funding for their
fam1 operations. Since resources for them are already limited, they will now have a travel burden
placed upon them when they are in need of help.
Please give your utmost consideration to keeping the facility in McKee open or at least
keeping an Ag suboffice there to serve the people of this area. I appreciate your help with this
matter.
STATE CAPITOL
Sincerely,
---l-P/1

Albert Robinson
State Senator
FRANKFORT 4060!
Control Number: 4235703
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
l600 .Pennsylvania Ave . NW
Washington, DC. 20500
Dear President Bush:
November 26. 2003
14-4235703
FSA
__
As you know lawsuits and politics have led to drastic reductions in, tobacco
production. The economic impact on fanners and rural communities throughout the Southeast
has been devastating, and continues to worsen.
Quota levels have already been reduced 50% since 1997. Quotas for next growing season
will be relea3i!:d in rcid-Decerober, and further dt>,ep cut'!-- approaching 20-30% --are e)tpected,
According to Dr. Blake Brown, an economist at North Carolina State University, North Carolina
alone could see another 3,000 fum.:ily :farms go under. Si:mi,htl sta:tistks are found in Kentucky,
Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia...
We have spent the better part ofthb year, as well as the closing days of the con,g:ressionaJ
session. working on variou.s tobacco quota "buyout" scenarios. While thete are differing
on cost, the role oftbe Food & Drug Adroinistmtion, and the time frame of the buyout, those of
us from tobacco :states all agree that action is neided.
We would greatly appredatt: an opportunity to meet with you about our concerns with this and to
disCl.Uls the options available to us. Perhaps on December glh and 9tt-. when we are in town to vote
on the omnibus appropriations bill your will allow you to meet with us, If thqse dates
do not work, perhaps we will try for the beginning of the yeu. Y OlU" a.dminbtration bas a solid
record of support fur rural America, a..'"l.d your assistance would be hmneasurabJe in resolving this
dire situation,
Thank you again for your consideration.
Sincen:-1y,
REffWEOBY
NOV 2 6l003
LACORR
1
1;:.:nrva !'!'tiLl 1::.: .. M t-'A..o\.
26. !OvJ 4:16PM
Member of Congress
HON. JACK KiNGSTON
,.
-

Wttlter Jones
of Congress

-
Ron Lewis
Me fC
Phil Gingrey

Max
MeiDbet ofCongre..'>s

Q:<i
Member of Congress
Men1ber of Congress
N0.890
p 3

Virgil Go e
Member of Congress
ongress

Member of Congress
Member
.
Howard Coble
Member of Congress .;--.
arold Rogers
Membor of Congress
,. ..
.
11/26/03 WEI> 15:33 FAX
NOV 16.1003 4:17PM
'l" JACK K'''qTON \'i!. ;1, <> , ,llu-.

ohn ame.r
United States Senate
United States
George Allen
United States Senate
p '

States Senate
07-3079
MAY 2 2 2007
The Honorable Harold Rogers
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative Rogers:
We write to you today regarding the recent consideration given to the proposed removal of the
agricultural inspection function from the U.S. Department ofHomeland Security's (DHS)
Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and relocation of this function to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
as included in S. 887 and other legislation pending in Congress. USDA and DHS oppose this
legislative proposal. We both take seriously the shared mission of protecting our Nation from
foreign plant and animal diseases, as well as securing our homeland against unintentional and
intentional threats to our agriculture and food supply.
The creation ofDHS was a thoughtful, complex, and ambitious integration effort. We strongly
believe that Congress, which recently mandated an extensive internal reorganization ofDHS,
should now give DHS the organizational stability it needs to succeed with its vital homeland
security mission.
USDA, DHS, and our agriculture stakeholders all share a common goal-protecting American
agriculture. However, both USDA and DHS strongly believe that another disruptive,
time-consuming transfer of thousands of employees and the agricultural inspection function, as
advocated by some, would degrade enforcement and seriously undermine the integrated border
enforcement capabilities created with the formation ofDHS. A transfer would divert attention
from the real mission to prevent the entry of harmful plant and animal pests, disease, and threats
to our agricultural resources and food supply. A transfer would delay efforts to identify needed
improvements in agricultural inspection and would therefore set the agricultural inspection
program back while also creating counterproductive management and employee chum for both
USDA and DHS. Working cooperatively, USDA and DHS employees have made much
progress and have strengthened their partnership in forming a unified first line of defense in
performing their missions and delivering agricultural programs.
On March 1, 2003, the responsibility for the inspection of goods and travelers for illegal
agricultural products or pests arriving in the United States was transferred from USDA to the
then-newly created CBP within DHS. The transfer of this function was among the first steps in
establishing CBP as the single, unified agency responsible for managing and securing our
Nation's ports-of-entry. Another important part of the creation ofCBP was the development of
two new positions to respond to new and expanded border security needs: the CBP Officer and
the CBP Agriculture Specialist (CBPAS).
CBP Officers are responsible for a wide range of duties including preventing the entry of
terrorists and their weapons and conducting traditional inspection activities related to trade,
contraband enforcement, and admissibility-as well as the important agricultural inspection
fimction. In this regard, CBP Officers receive specialized cross-training related to agricultural
risk and inspection referral. CBP ASs fill the role of the former APHIS inspectors and conduct
activities to prevent harmful plant and animal pests and diseases from entering the United States
while guarding against agro/bio-terrorism.
Today, CBP Agriculture Specialists receive the same amount of agriculture-specific training as
they did when they were part of USDA. The eight weeks of agriculture-specific training that
CBPASs receive, conducted by USDA instructors, ensures that they are fully prepared for their
role at the border. In addition to traditional agricultural enforcement, CBP ASs play a crucial role
in educating other CBP officers about the agricultural inspection process, thus enhancing the
agricultural knowledge of all personnel at ports-of-entry. Importantly, CBP has increased
CBP AS staffing in the field by over 30 percent, providing coverage at over 157 ports-of-entry
since the merger on March 1, 2003. The deployment ofboth CBPASs (over 2,000) and
cross-trained CBP Officers (18,000) to search for agricultural threats has resulted in a force
multiplier that improves implementing the agricultural inspection program. The proposal to
remove agricultural inspections from DHS would wholly undermine the force multiplier
achieved by cross-training.
With the creation of CBP, USDA continued to retain the majority of agricultural functions,
including responsibility for establishing regulations and guidelines that govern the import of
agricultural products, pest identification, inspection of propagative material, risk assessment, and
methods development. CBP, of course, retained border inspection responsibilities. While
USDA continues to establish agricultural policy governing imports, it is the significant
cooperation between the two Departments that has enabled the agricultural inspection program to
advance and meet the new challenges of the growing global marketplace. USDA and DHS have
worked tirelessly to integrate the important duties and responsibilities of the scientific mission of
agricultural inspection with CBP's other missions.
American agriculture remains at risk from external threats. Our joint efforts must continue to
prepare us for the threat of unintentional or intentional introduction of foreign plant or animal
pests or pathogens into our country. These potential threats could devastate American crops or
livestock, which is why the incorporation of the two CBP line positions plays such an important
role in DHS's multi-layered approach to protect U.S. agricultural resources.
USDA and DHS are committed to working in partnership to safeguard American agriculture by
detecting and preventing harmful plant and animal pests and diseases through training initiatives,
trend analysis, targeting initiatives, and the development of special programs like the National
Agriculture Release Program. As part of this commitment, USDA and DHS are forming a task
force to address the concerns of our agriculture stakeholders, as well as issues raised about the
agricultural inspection program in reports from the Government Accountability Office and USDA's
Office of the Inspector General. Through this task force, USDA and DHS will take important steps
to continue to improve the program by conducting a thorough analysis of the program's
performance, agreeing to a specific action plan for improvements, and setting clear and measurable
goals to hold the agencies accountable for protecting America from threats to our agriculture. We
believe this is a far more productive course of action than the transfer of employees and the
agricultural inspection function back to USDA, and it will achieve the common goal of protecting
U.S. agricultural resources. USDA and DHS stand together as partners and value our cooperative
efforts, our joint missions, and our employees.
Mike Johanns
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sincerely,
Michael Chertoff
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
-
Control Number: 5159741
MAY. 25.2007 8:11PM S&I-HAC"
DATE: Sn.4t07
'
TO: Honorable Johanns .
Secretary of Agriculture
FAX NUMBER: (202) 720-6314
TELEPHONE: (202) 720-3631
NO. 7 89 P.
FROM: Celia Vismale
House Appropriations Committee
Surveys and Investigations Staff
Washington, D.C. 20515
PHONE: (202) 225-3881
FAX: (202) 225-2112
. ttJ
0 }
TOTAL:NUMiiER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET: 2
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MAY. 25.2007 8:11PM
DAVID R OBEY, WISCONSIN, CHAIRMAN
JOHN P. MUIITHA. VANIA
NORMAN D. DICI<S, WI\9\IH(l'TOH
AI.AJII9, MOI.I..OIIAN, WESTVIRGll'IIA
MARC'!' ICAI'IlJA, OHIO
S&l-HAC
PETER VISCLOCICV, !NOlANA
NIT II Ill. LOWEY, NEWVOIIK
J0St I;, NEWYORit
ROSA 1.. CONNECTICUT
JAMES P, MORAN, IIIR(JINIA
of thr
JOHN W,
EO PASTOR.
DAVID E. PIUce. NOJnli CAAOUNA
EDWAAOS. TEXAS
AO!li!RT e. 'BUCI' CRAMER. JR. I>J..NMW.
PATRICK J. KfNIUiDY, RtiOOE ISIAIIICI
MAUIIICE D. HINCHEY, NI!WYORJ(
LUCO.LE lle11'9AI..AI.l.AAD, CAUI'ORNIA
SAM FARR, CAUFOANIA
L JACKSON, JR., D.UNOIS
CAROl. YN c. M1CHIG.>.N
ALLEN BOVII, fi.DRIWO.
CtWCA FATT.t.H, PENNSYLVANIA
STEVEN A. ROTHMAN, NI!W JeRSEY
SANFORD 0. SISHOP, JA., G!!OAGIA
MARION BERRY, .t.AAANSAS
BARBARA LEE, CAUFORNJA
TOM UOAU. NEW Ml;;j(ICO
/WAM SC111fF, CAI.IFOANI.t.
MICHAEL HONDA. CAUFOANIA
BETTY McCOLLUM. MINNESOTA .
STEVE ISIWiL, NEW YORK
TIM AVA!'<, OHIO
C.A. 'DUTCW RUPPEIISIIERGER.IIIIAAVLANO
llN CHANOI.Ell, la!NTUCICY
DEBBIE WASS!AMAN SCHUL'I2.111.0RIOA
CIRO IIODRIGUEt, TI!XAS
The Honorable Mike Johanns
Secretary of Agriculture
11\ouse of Rlprtsmtatiuts
on 2lpprO{Jriattoils
20515-6015
May24,2007
14th and Independence Avenue, SW
Room200A
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Mr. Seeretary:
NO. 789. P. 2
JERRY LEWIS, CAI.IFORNIA
C. W. DILL YOUNG. FI.DRIDA
AALPH Al!GUIA, OHIO
HAROLD ROGSRS, ICSNTUCI<Y
FRANJI. fl. WOLF. VIRGINIA
WALSH, NEW YORK
OAVI'O 1, 110BSON. OHIO
JOE MICI410AN
JACK ICINCISTON. GEORGIA
qoDNI!Y P. FfiEUNClHUYSEN. NEW JERSEY
1\0GE.II F. WICKI!II, MISSISSIPPI
TOOD TIAHAT, KAIIISAS
Z.t.CH WAMP, TeNNESSee
'rOM LATHAM, IOWA
ROIIER'r B. AOEAtiOL T, ALAbAMA
JOANN EMERSON, MISSOURI
ltAY GRANGER, TEXAS
JOHN E, PETERSON, PENNSYI.VANIA
VIRGIL 11. 00001;, JR., VIRGINIA
JOHN 'P, DOOU'nl.E, CAIJFOI\NIA
llAV LAHOOD,IlUNOIS
DAVE wELDON, FLORIDA
lt. SIMPSON,IOA110
AIIN<Y CULBERSON, TEXAS
"'ARII ILUNOII:I
ANDER CRENSHAW, 'FI.ORIDA
DBNNIS R. MONTANA
JOHN TEXAS
I\OONY Al.EXANDI!A, LOUISIANA
CL!RIC AND STAFP DIR6CTOR
ROBNABDR5
'I'ELEPHONE:
tao21 .us..m1
ln. accordance with the provisions of Section 202(b), Public Law 601, 79th Congress (codified at
2 U.S.C. 72 a (b)), this Staff'bas been directed by the Committee on Appropriations to make an
inquiry into certain funds allocation methods used by the U.S, Forest Service during FY 2007.
Please designate an appropriate point of contact to arrange for obtaining the data pertinent to this
inquiry and notify my office by telephone within five business days of the receipt of this letter. If
there are any questions regarding this matter, I can be contacted on (202) 225-3881.
Sincerely,
])()4J'd
Davi4 M. Pomerantz
Director
Surveys and Investigations Staff
House Committee on Appropriations
Control Number: 5160199
DAVID R. OBEY, WISCONSIN, CHAIRMAN
JOHN P. MURTHA, PENNSYLVANIA
NORMAN D. DICKS, WASHINGTON
ALAN B. MOLLOHAN, WEST VIRGINIA
MARCY KAPJUR. OHIO
PETER J. VISCLOSKY; INDiliNA
JERRY LEWIS, CALIFORNIA
NITA M. LOWEY, NEW YORK
JOSt E. SERRANO, NEW YORK
ROSA L DtLAURO. CONNECTICUT
JAMES P. MORAN, VIRGINIA
<tongrrss of the tinittd
C. W. BILL YOUNG, FLORIDA
RALPH REGULA. OHIO
HAROLD ROGERS. KENTUCKY
FRANK R. WOLF, VIRGINIA
JAMES T. WALSH, NEW YORK
DAVID L. HOBSON. OHIO
JOE KNOLLENBERG, MICHIGAN
JACK KINGSTON. GEORGIA
RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN, NEW JERSEY
ROGER F. WICKER, MISSISSIPPI JOHN W. OLVER. MASSACHUSETTS
ED PASTOR, ARIZONA
DAVID E. PRICE, NORTH CAROLINA
CHET EDWARDS, TEXAS
ROBERT E. "BUD" CRAMER, JR., ALABAMA
PATRICK J. KENNEDY, RHODE ISLAND
MAURICE D. HINCHEY, NEW YORK
LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, CALIFORNIA
SAM fARR, CALifORNIA
JESSE L JACKSON, JR .. ILLINOIS
CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK, MICHIGAN
ALLEN BOYD, fLORIDA
CHAKA fATTAH, PENNSYLVANIA
STEVEN R. ROTHMAN, NEW JERSEY
SANFORD D. BISHOP. JR .. GEORGIA
MARION BERRY, ARKANSAS
BARBARA LEE. CALIFORNIA
TOM UDALL, NEW MEXICO
ADAM SCHIFF, CALIFORNIA
MICHAEL HONDA, CALIFORNIA
BETTY McCOLLUM. MINNESOTA
STEVE ISRAEL, NEW YORK
TIM RYAN, OHIO
C.A. "DUTCH" RUPPERSBERGEF( MARYLAND-
BEN CHANDLER, KENTUCKY
DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. FLORIDA
CIAO RODRIGUEZ, TEXAS .
The Honorable Mike Johanns
Secretary of Agriculture
!louse of lltcprcsrnmtiocs
Q:ommittcc on S!ppropriations
Ufashingtont BQ: 20515-6015
May24, 2007
TODD TIAHRT, KANSAS
ZACH WAMP. TENNESSEE
TOM LATHAM, IOWA
ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, ALABAMA
JOANN EMERSON. MISSOURI
KAY GRANGER, TEXAS
JOHN E. PETERSON, PENNSYLVANIA
VIRGIL H. GOODE, JR .. VIRGINIA
JOHN T. DOOLITTLE, CALIFORNIA
RAY LAHOOD, ILLINOIS
DAVE WELDON. FLORIDA
MICHAEL K. SIMPSON. IDAHO
JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON, TEXAS
MARK STEVEN KIRK. ILLINOIS
ANDER CRENSHAW, FLORIDA
DENNIS R. REHBERG, MONTANA
JOHN R. CARTER, TEXAS
RODNEY ALEXANDER. LOUISIANA
CLERK AND STAFF DIRECTOR
ROB NABORS
TELEPHONE:
(202) 225-2771
14th and Independence Avenue, SW
Room200A
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Mr. Secretary:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 202(b ), Public Law 601, 79th Congress (codified at
2 U .S.C. 72 a (b)), this Staff has been directed by the Committee on Appropriations to make an
inquiry into certain funds allocation methods used U .. s. Forest during FY)007.
J. .
' ..
Please designate an appropriate point of contact to arrange for obtainirig.the data to this
inquiry and notify my office by telephone within five days of the receipt ofthis letter. If
there are any questions regarding this matter, I can be contacted oil (202) 225-3881.
, ..
: . ! . : . : .. .
Sincerely,
J)CWr'J.
' David M. Pomerantz
Director
sur\ieys and statr . ,.
,H;ouse Committee on Appropriati<:>ns
. . . , . . i . .
. . : ' .
.I
FROM
teommfttee on
, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6015
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
0/flcr nf Til" [ . ..
SEC FiE fi .J Leur li/f
LJHI. tJ5CA
1001 DEC t J A I(): n

M.C.
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Control Number: 6353714
-- ------------,-,-------;,---c-1 ----:-------------
HAROLD ROGERS
5TH DISTRICT, KENTUCKY
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
RANKING MEMBER
SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE
(tongrr.ss of thi 'tinitcd
1ltnnsr prrsrntatiots
illlleshington, 3a[ 20515-1705
II
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Secretary Vilsack:
May 28,2010
PLEASE RESPOND TO:
WASHINGTON OFFICE:
0 2406 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-1705
D
D
D
(202) 225-4601
DISTRICT OFFICES:
551 CLIFTY STREET
SOMERSET, KY 42501
(606) 679-8346 OR
1-800-632-8588
601 MAIN STREET
HAZARD, KY 41701
(606) 439-0794
110 RESOURCE COURT
SUITE A
PRESTONSBURG, KY 41653
(606) 886-()844
Almost one month ago, severe storms, floodlng, mudslides, winds, and tornadoes caused
substantial damage to Kentucky's agricultwfal:industries and family farms. Since that
time, the President has already placed 59 the Commonwealth under a
federal disaster declaration (FEMA-1912-DR) and it is my understanding that the
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner is seeking an agricultural emergency
through the U.S. Department (U_SDA) .. I am in support
of this request and encourage USDA to assirit m providmg Immediate assistance. .
Reports indicate that Kentucky farmers have thousa:nds of acres of crops including
com, wheat, and soybeans. In addition, thet were widespread livestock losses and
facility damages due to these torrential and weather. Unfortunately, the enormous
devastation wrought by this recent storm overwhelmed community and state
I
resources. 1
i
I appreciate your support and encourage yoN to lend all necessary and available federal
resources to assist these Kentuckians. do not hesitate to contact me or my
I .
Legislative Assistant, Victoria Luck, at (202, 225-4601, should you have questions.
SincJ ly . .

. .. .
. r of Congress
I . .
. . I.
HR:vl I
---=-==-=--=-=--,.-=--=-=-"'-,..--=--=---=-=-_.,...__= .,...__ ________ -=-____ __,_...,;;;:
((ongress o[ tbe @ilnlteb
"ousr of !\rprrsrntattbrs
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OFFICIAl BUSINESS
I i 11 .. 11 ... 11 .. 11 .. 1 ... 11
DrfiCE Or nit
-. SECHETARIAI. US
20\0 JUN -2 Pr q: 58
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
CAPI..JSP1 :20250
,,, ,,,,,,I,,,,, I' I,,, I I I II 11
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Control Number: 6353714
USDA
~
United States Department of Agriculture
JUN 2 4 2010
The Honorable Harold Rogers
U.S. House of Representatives
2406 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1705
Dear Congressman Rogers:
Office of the Secretary
Washington, D.C. 20250
Thank you for your letter of May 28, 2010, supporting a Secretarial disaster designation for the
State of Kentucky.
Currently, the Kentucky State Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office is compiling Loss Assessment
Reports throughout the State. Governor Steven L. Beshear's request for a Secretarial disaster
designation was received on May 5, 2010. You may be assured that the Department of Agriculture
(USDA) is processing the request as expeditiously as possible and is committed to using its
available resources to help producers who have been affected by a natural disaster.
A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties
eligible to be considered for assistance from FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met.
This assistance includes FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance
Payments (SURE) Program. Farmers in eligible counties have 8 months from the date of a
Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. FSA will consider each
emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production
losses, security available, and repayment ability. SURE Program applications for 2010 crop
losses will be accepted in 2011, when the 201 0 farm revenue data required by statute becomes
available.
To date, USDA has already allocated more than $7.2 million in Emergency Conservation
Program (ECP) funds to Kentucky for flooding. Eligible producers will be able to use ECP
funds to remove farmland debris, restore fences, grade and shape 1and, and repair conservation
structures that were damaged by flooding that occurred from April 30, 2010, through
May 4, 2010. The following counties in Kentucky have been approved for ECP implementation,
specifically to address damage from the recent floods:
An Equal Opportunity Employer
The Honorable Harold Rogers
Page 2
Adair Christian Greenup Metcalfe Scott
Allen Clinton Hart Montgomery Simpson
Anderson Cumberland Hopkins Muhlenberg Taylor
Barren Edmonson Jessamine Nelson Todd
Bath Elliot Lawrence Ohio Trigg
Boyd Estill Lewis Owen Warren
Boyle Fleming Logan Pulaski Washington
Butler Franklin Marion Rock castle Wayne
Carter Garrard McLean Rowan Woodford
Casey Green Menifee Russell
A request for ECP implementation and funding in Caldwell and Lyon Counties is also under
review. For further information on ECP eligibility requirements and applications, producers may
visit their local FSA county office or learn more about ECP and other disaster programs on the
web at: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
Again, thank you for your letter and your concern for Kentucky producers who suffered
significant losses.
Sincerely,