By: Nicole Garcia and Kyra J. Neyland

Fresno, Ca.-Congressman Adam Schiff, (D) Pasadena, sat down with Fresno leaders Sunday during a special city council meeting.

Schiff is on the House Appropriations Committee, the group in charge of deciding how the federal government will spend its money.

"When you get somebody in his capacity here, it's very important," said Fresno County Supervisor Phil Larson.

Fresno leaders tried to influence the congressman to send more money our way to fight two of the valley's biggest problems-water shortage, and foreclosures.

"If you can help us get storage, conveyance, conservation, water banking and cooperation, that's what we need to turn this economy," asked Supervisor Larson of Rep. Schiff.

Fresno City Council President Cynthia Sterling drew Schiff's attention to Fresno's foreclosure problem.

"There are 3,616 bank owned homes in Fresno," said Sterling. More than 2,000 homes in Fresno are in default, she said.

Congressman Schiff says he recognized the most crucial need of the valley this year is water.

"It's certainly my impression that the water shortage is overshadowing everything, that is accelerating the job losses that would happen in a recession, further accelerating that trend," said Rep. Schiff.

He says his visit to Fresno has helped him put our needs in perspective since many of those who decide how and where government money goes don't come from an agricultural background.

"I come from a very suburban Los Angeles District, we get water but we don't understand the agricultural economy. I think it's very important for people to come to Fresno," said Rep. Schiff.