Small Business Committee Chair Backs Farm Bill WASHINGTON (July 25, 2007)—In a Dear Colleague letter to Members of Congress today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) joined the growing voices of legislators supporting a strong farm bill and called upon her colleagues to “Please oppose any attempts to weaken this important measure…and support H.R. 2419.” In her letter, Velázquez—who serves as Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee and Chairwoman of Business and Economic Development Task Force in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus—highlighted that fact that: “H.R. 2419 provides certainty for small businesses and family farmers through conservation, energy, and rural development programs. The legislation is a well balanced and fiscally responsible bill taking into account the needs of all Americans; both rural and urban.” Her letter concluded: “Activities taking place in urban areas are made possible by a strong agricultural sector which provides us access to healthy and affordable foods. The mission of the farm bill must be that it allows our agricultural sector to help our communities across America - whether that be directly or indirectly. Agriculture is part of the solution to problems we face far away from the nearest farm field, like climate change and the need for alternative sources of fuel.” A copy of the letter can be found here: Download a printable version.