He's getting thrashed over his alleged affection for racial epithets, but GOP Senator George Allen is showing magnanimity towards one minority consistuency: Black farmers. Yesterday Allen introduced a bill that would give some 72,000 black farmers nationwide a second chance at collecting funds under a Federal civil-rights lawsuit settlement. But suspicions about the timing were raised yesterday when the president of the National Black Farmers Association revealed that the group had been trying to get Allen to do this "since he's been in [the Senate]." Worse, the Association president admitted past frustration over not getting a meeting with Allen's staff -- and that he'd finally just gotten one on Friday.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Allen, R-Va., and Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced a bill to give the farmers a sec- ond chance at claiming relief under a 1999 civil-rights settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The farmers were turned down earlier because they filed claims too late.

John W. Boyd Jr. of Baskerville, Va., president of the National Black Farmers Association, sought the legislation, according to an Allen news release yesterday.

In an interview, Boyd said, "I'm glad he's finally stepped up and done something to help the nation's black farmers." Boyd also said, "Since he's been in [the Senate], we've been trying to get him to look at this issue."

Allen joined the Senate in 2001. Boyd, who voiced frustration over failed past efforts to get meetings with Allen's staff, said he finally got a meeting Friday. Boyd would not speculate on Allen's motivations for introducing the bill yesterday.

"Whatever the reason may be, we welcome the help because we're losing farmers every day."