ICGA STATEMENT REGARDING MISSISSIPPI RIVER NAVIGATION SUSTAINMENT ACT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tricia Braid
                  (309) 557-3257

WASHINGTON, DC—Illinois Corn Growers Association President Paul Taylor, a family farmer from Esmond, IL, issued the following statement today regarding the Mississippi River Sustainment Act introduced last week by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Bill Enyart (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL).

“The Illinois Corn Growers Association is extremely grateful to Senator Durbin, Congressman Enyart, and Congressman Davis for their leadership in introducing the Mississippi River Sustainment Act. It is gratifying to see a bipartisan effort in Washington, DC, that recognizes the importance of the Mississippi River to our nation’s economy. ICGA will work to support this legislation.

Last year’s extreme drought had many consequences, not the least of which was the low-water levels on the Mid-Mississippi River earlier this winter. The low-water impacted not only corn farmers, but all river transportation stakeholders, and by extension, consumers and those employed directly and indirectly by the river transportation industry.

However unfortunate the drought and the low-water levels, the situation did provide for an excellent opportunity to illustrate the damage that can be done if the Mississippi River were to shut down due to natural or man-made causes. It’s obvious that folks in Washington, DC, were paying attention. This Bill represents a common-sense approach to learning from what happened this winter and making improvements throughout the system so that in the future, we can do a better job of keeping America moving.”

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