We are writing to ask for your support for H.R. 5575, the Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2006.  Members of Congress Chabot, Scott of Virginia, Sensenbrenner, Bachus, Jackson-Lee, Watt, and Thompson of Mississippi, introduced this bill on June 9, 2006, as a result of three days of hearings last year before the Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Committee on the Judiciary. Those hearings supported the Black farmers’ contention that the settlement of their discrimination case against the United States Department of Agriculture contained serious problems that could only be addressed by legislation. H.R. 5575 is the long-awaited attempt to correct many of those flaws.

           In 1999, the Nation’s Black farmers believed they had finally achieved some measure of justice from the longstanding acts of discrimination by the federal government. With the signing of a settlement agreement, that is, a consent decree, in Pigford v. Glickman, Black farmers agreed to a system that would review their cases and, if discrimination was found, give each farmer who prevailed, monetary and other appropriate remedies. Unfortunately, this settlement proved flawed and many Black farmers, who were not given adequate notice of the consent decree, had their cases dismissed without a substantive review. Others were unable to get a decision through the system set up under the aegis of the consent decree. H.R. 5575 addresses these problems by providing a new cause of action in federal district court for the approximately 72,000 Black farmers who have unresolved meritorious claims of discrimination. 

           We realize that H.R. 5575 represents an unusual combination of policy issues that touch both the legal and agricultural areas. As a result, you probably do not have a policy position on this issue.  Nonetheless, we seek your consideration of this bill and its underlying policy concerns. Accordingly, you may want to review the Environmental Working Group’s study of the post-consent-decree problems encountered by Black farmers . In addition, we would be glad to answer any questions you may have so that we can gain your support.

           Please do not hesitate to give me a call if you have questions. You may reach me at 1-866-881-4639. 

           I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.         

                                                                                                                                                                   Sincerely,        

                                                                                                                                                                   John W. Boyd
                                                                                                                                                                   President