House Judiciary Committee to Hold Historic Black Farmers Hearing on HR 899 and HR 588

JOHN BOYD PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION WILL GIVE TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMITTEE

The Subcommittee on the constitution, Civil Rights-Civil Liberties will hold a historic hearing on HR 899 the Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007. And H.R. 558 the “African American Farmers Benefit Relief Act of 2007 on Thursday, June 21st, 2007 at 9 am in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building

In 1997 black farmers filed the historic black farmers class action lawsuit. In 1999 the black farmers entered into a consent decree with the United States Department of Agriculture, which in fact remains the largest settlement in US history 3 billion dollars. Since the settlement 74,000 plus black farmers filed late claims. The late filers have yet to receive payment. The claims have never been heard based on the merits.

We have waited a long time for Justice, I commend Chairman John Conyers, Bobby Scott, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, and the Judiciary Committee for moving one step closer to justice for Americas black farmers said John Boyd President of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA).

In 2004 the NBFA Teamed up with the Environmental Working Group for a joint study “Obstruction of Justice” which revealed that nearly 9 out of 10 African American Farmers received nothing but a empty promise from the settlement.

The time has come for congress to move swiftly to bring much need relief to thousands of black farmers who have given up on the government to provide relief Boyd concluded.

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