Washington, D.C.-- Yesterday evening U.S. Sixth District Congressman Frank Lucas and his House colleagues were finally able to enjoy the success of final approval of the Agriculture Research, Extension, and Education Reform Conference Report. The Report was approved in the U.S. House by a vote of 364 to 50. It was passed earlier in the Senate on May 12. It now only awaits the President's signature to become law.

"This bill brings closure to the final provisions of the '96 Farm Bill," Lucas said. AIt is a well-balanced bill that solidifies the future of crop insurance and agriculture research for our nation's farmers."

The bill includes $600 million in funding over five years for cutting-edge agricultural research. In addition, the bill provides $485 million in partial funding for the Federal Crop Insurance Program and $100 million toward the Fund for Rural America. In the conference agreement, savings from food stamp administration accounts and the limitation of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funding for computers and related equipment and services, totaling approximately $1.8 billion over five years, are used to offset the spending.

"The research that takes place at Oklahoma State University, Fort Reno and Woodward, as well as all over the country, is crucial in developing new, more efficient and cost beneficial farming techniques for our ag producers," Lucas said. "These benefits then trickle down to the consumer market."

"Additionally, as our farmers continue to transition to farming for the market, it is imperative that we are able to offer them the kind of crop insurance security that keeps them planting, and keeps our country producing," Lucas continued. "I am very pleased that we have now seen this measure through the House successfully."

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Dan Glickman has expressed his approval of the bill and said he will urge the President to sign it.