02.18.10 | Scott Statement on the Settlement in the Black Farmers Lawsuit against USDA

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA-03), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the announced settlement in the Black Farmers Lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

"I applaud President Obama, Attorney General Holder and Secretary Vilsack for finally bringing to an appropriate resolution the long legacy of shame in this country's treatment of Black farmers.  This settlement fulfills the legislative framework we passed last Congress, with then Senator Obama's help, to allow Black famers left out of the original Pigford discrimination settlement an opportunity to have their claims heard on the merits.  Now Congress, which made a down payment on the settlement last Congress, must do its part in appropriating the funds needed to assure that this matter can be completed in a just manner."

Earlier today, President Barack Obama issued the following statement on the settlement:

"My Administration is dedicated to ensuring that federal agencies treat all our citizens fairly, and the settlement in the Pigford case reflects that commitment.  I applaud Secretary Vilsack for his efforts to modernize operations at the USDA, as well as the work of the Justice Department in bringing these long-ignored claims of African American farmers to a rightful conclusion.  I look forward to a swift resolution to this issue, so that the families affected can move on with their lives."

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