Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Rural and Agriculture
Durbin: Congress Approves More Than $9 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that Congress has approved $9,034,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill will now go to President Obama for his signature. The Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development … Continue Reading
September 25, 2009
Durbin Announces Four Illinoisans for USDA Positions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Obama Administration has chosen four members for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Illinois State Committee: Darell Sarff of Chandlerville; Jill Appell of Altona; Gerardo (Jerry) Jimenez of Cobden; and Joyce Matthews of Nokomis. In February, Durbin recommended all four people for appointments to the committee positions within the Department of Agriculture (USDA). "These four new members of the FSA … Continue Reading
September 24, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves $1.2 Million for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the United States Senate has approved $1.2 million for Illinois projects. The Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Bill for the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Forest Service and Environmental Protection Agency includes funding for the following Illinois projects: Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grants • Decatur Water Infrastructure Improvements, City of Decatur. … Continue Reading
September 16, 2009
Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau to Discuss Agricultural Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a meeting with representatives from the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss climate change, food safety and renewable fuels. During the discussion, Durbin stressed the importance of passing climate legislation that benefits farmers. He listened to the questions and concerns from Illinois Farm Bureau members regarding climate change legislation in the House of Representatives and spoke about the current state of negotiations in the … Continue Reading
September 15, 2009
Durbin Receives Golden Triangle Award from National Farmers Union
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, today received the Golden Triangle Award from the National Farmers Union (NFU) for his leadership in promoting the use and production of renewable fuels, his commitment to passing legislation to combat climate change, and his support for efforts to address the crisis in the dairy industry. "I am honored to receive the Golden Triangle Award and will … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure Anesthesia and Surgical Services in Rural Areas are Covered
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation late last night that would allow services provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to be reimbursed by Medicare. The Rural Access to Nurse Anesthesia Services Act would close existing loopholes to guarantee anesthesiology cost reimbursement for Critical Access Hospitals and enable these hospitals to continue to provide surgical services to residents in rural areas. "In my … Continue Reading
August 04, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves Nearly $8.5 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate has approved $8,478,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development Corporation (BRDC), Peoria. $3,500,000 in funding to facilitate the … Continue Reading
July 30, 2009
Durbin: Senate Committee Approves Over $27 Million in Transportation and Economic Development Funding for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $27,004,744 in federal funding for Illinois transportation and economic development projects. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations includes funding for the following projects: Department of Transportation Federal Transit … Continue Reading
July 29, 2009
Durbin Discusses Importance of Air Service in Downstate Communities at Senate Confirmation Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discuss the importance of air service in rural communities while introducing Susan Kurland of Chicago, Illinois to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee which was holding a hearing on her nomination by President Obama to be Assistant Secretary of Aviation and International Affairs. Durbin has introduced three Presidential nominees to this committee: Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood; … Continue Reading
July 15, 2009
Durbin Meets with Illinois Corn Growers to Discuss Agricultural Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a meeting with representatives from the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) to discuss climate change and ethanol issues. "I firmly believe that we need to make significant efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the dangerous effects of climate change on our planet," said Durbin. "Bringing groups like the Illinois Corn Growers Association to the table and including their concerns in this debate is an … Continue Reading
June 29, 2009
Durbin: President Names Callahan and Giamanco for USDA Positions in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama has officially named Colleen Callahan Burns of Kickapoo, Illinois for State Director of Rural Development and Scherrie V. Giamanco of Mt. Vernon, Illinois for State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Neither appointment requires Senate confirmation and both are expected to assume their new duties in early July. "Colleen Callahan Burns has been a respected voice … Continue Reading
June 17, 2009
Durbin Announces $1.3 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Eaton Water District in Annapolis
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $1,375,000 loan with funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Eaton Water District in Annapolis, Illinois. Today's funding announcement is part of a nationwide announcement of $125 million in funding for water and environmental projects that will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems … Continue Reading
June 02, 2009
Durbin Announces $5.9 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Floodplain Easement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $5,946,931 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for floodplain easement in Illinois. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s floodplain easement program allows for the acquisition of private, local government or state owned lands that have been damaged by flooding at least once in the last 12 months or twice in the past 10 years. Once the easements have been … Continue Reading
March 11, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves $34.6 Million to Prevent Spread of Emerald Ash Borer
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Congress has approved $34,625,000 for nationwide efforts to combat and prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Additionally, the Omnibus Appropriations Act includes special language directing the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago to manage the infestation and provide appropriate resources. "Emerald … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Congress Gives Approval to Nearly $230 Million in Funding for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Omnibus Appropriations Act that was approved today by Congress includes $229,727,154 in funding for Illinois projects. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT ($36 MILLION): Today's legislation includes over $36 million in funding to create a new transit line, the Circle line, in Chicago and expand transit service along the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) … Continue Reading
March 16, 2006
Mine Safety Enforcement, Reporting, and Training Act
Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Mine Safety Enforcement, Reporting, and Training Act. This bill will raise the minimum fine for safety violations from $60 to $500, require coal mine operators to pay fines up front, require a public yearly report of fine payments, and double funding for education and training grants to States from $10 million to $20 million. The recent tragic events in West Virginia and Kentucky have captured the Nation's attention and exposed the serious … Continue Reading