Library Earmarks in Farm Bill

Received this news alert for all libraries to take action, from the
Americans for Library Association Washington office. Wow, didn't know they had a ASS.

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED: Ask Farm Bill Conferees to Keep Libraries in Rural Telecommunications Section of H.R. 2419
Link to alert

This is in the farm bill, what is this? A farm bill is for FARMERS not LIBRARIES!

Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 H.R. 2419), Section 6302, to include “libraries” in the rural telecommunications program:
Background Amendments in the Senate version of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419) add libraries serving rural communities into Section 6302: Telemedicine, Library Connectivity, and Distance Learning Services in Rural Areas. This amendment acknowledges and would support the important role
that public libraries play in providing rural areas access to broadband services, leveling the playing field for rural residents. It also promotes partnerships with other participants in this existing program - such as community colleges and K-12 schools.

This amendment acknowledges and would support the important role that public libraries play in providing rural areas access to broadband services, leveling the playing field for rural residents.

First, I know alot of farmers and they all have computer access, what the heck is someone trying to load into this bill? Are we now going to give rural america free broad band networking? How many farmers go to the libraries any more? We used to having hitching posts for horses. Now we will have to have larger parking spaces for giant tractors. We have three libraries with in 10 miles of us and that is two two many. What the heck are our taxes paying for?

Oh I see, looky here it says;

a) In General- Chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XXII of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.)is amended in the chapter heading by striking `AND DISTANCE LEARNING' and inserting `, LIBRARY CONNECTIVITY, PUBLIC TELEVISION,AND DISTANCE LEARNING'.

The old Public television money grab through the back door amendment earmark trick!

And I like this one;

i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking `financial
assistance' and inserting `assistance in the form of grants';

The old slight of hand trick , oh my, it's now assistance in the form of grants.

And who is getting some of this money, ah shucks it's the;

`(C) libraries or library support organizations;
`(D) public television stations and the parent organizations of public television stations;

Wow , talk about our bloated budget. See what AFP Wisconsin is doing to me, I never looked at bills before!

Well please contact your representitive and tell them NO
to H.R. 2419), Section 6302.

Link to section 6302

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRYFAX: 202-224-1725
Majority
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)Sen. Max S. Baucus (D-MT)Sen. Blanche L. Lincoln (D-AR)Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)Sen. E. Benjamin Nelson (D-NE)Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO)Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)Sen. Robert P. Casey (D-PA)Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Minority
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-IN)Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC)Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)Sen. Michael D. Crapo (R-ID)Sen. John Thune (R-SD)Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA)
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTUREFAX: 202-225-8510
Majority
Rep. Collin C. Peterson (D-MN–7)Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA–17)Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC–7)Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC–2)Rep. Leonard L. Boswell (D-IA–3)Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA–43)Rep. Dennis A. Cardoza (D-CA–18)Rep. David Scott (D-GA–13)Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA–8)Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD–At Large)Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX–28)Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA–20)Rep. John T. Salazar (D-CO–3)Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN–8)Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-KS–2)Rep. Zack Space (D-OH–18)Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN–1)Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY–20)Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI–8) - JUST SAY NO!!!!!!Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND–At Large)Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN–4)Rep. John Barrow (D-GA–12)Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX–22)Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN–2)Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL–16)
Minority
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA–6)Rep. Terry Everett (R-AL–2)Rep. Frank D. Lucas (R-OK–3)Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS–1)Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC–8)Rep. Timothy V. Johnson (R-IL–15)Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO–6)Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL–1)Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL–3)Rep. Steve King (R-IA–5)Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO–4)Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX–19)Rep. Charles Boustany Jr. (R-LA–7)Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-NY–29)Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC–5)Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX–11)Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE–1)Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH–2)Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE–3)Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI–7)Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH–5)