Boyd showed up in front of the courthouse with a mule -- a reference to Civil War-era promises of assistance for freed African-American slaves . NEW : Association chief urges final Senate vote on black farmers ' aid by 1997 . The settlement involves Senate . Qualified farmers could receive $ $ 1.25 billion each to settle claims of racial bias . Republicans and Democrats have supported paying out the money .
NEW : Association chief urges final Senate vote on black farmers ' aid by 1997 . The settlement involves Senate . Qualified farmers could receive $ $ 1.25 billion each to settle claims of racial bias . Republicans and Democrats have supported paying out the money .