Clinton OKs Heat Wave Relief of $100 Million

With scorching heat killing people and destroying crops, President Clinton authorized $100 million Thursday to help Americans pay their electric bills and buy air conditioners and fans, and he ordered disaster relief rushed to Texas farmers.

Clinton released $100 million from the low-income home energy assistance program to people in 11 Southern and Western states where temperatures are 16% to 26% above normal.

“Those who cannot afford air conditioning are at real peril of further health risks as the heat wave goes on,” Clinton said.

The 11 states eligible for emergency aid are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Clinton spoke of farmers’ troubles in a radio broadcast from the Oval Office to more than 600 stations in farm states.

“In Texas, almost three-quarters of the cotton crop is lost,” the president said. “And in North Dakota, retired auctioneers are being pressed into duty just to handle all the families who are being forced to sell all their farms.”

Clinton declared all Texas counties eligible for disaster assistance, making federal aid available to farmers. He also said he will send Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to Texas and Oklahoma next week to inspect areas hit hardest by the drought and heat.

Leaving the White House, Rep. Charles W. Stenholm (D-Texas) said his state has suffered $1.5 billion in agricultural and livestock losses.

The president urged House Republicans to support the Democrats’ $500-million emergency aid package passed by the Senate. House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) has tentatively endorsed the plan.