 VOLUME 62 NO. 4 — September-October 2003 |
As fall began we observed Patriot Day, recalling the attack on America. Deputy Secretary Jim Moseley addressed USDA employees, praising all who took time that day to remember.
Later in September Secretary Ann M. Veneman reminded the public of the array of USDA services available in the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Isabel; made huge quantities of surplus non-fat dry milk available for use by charitable organizations; and praised the successful efforts of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to eradicate exotic Newcastle disease in California and other states. She also awarded over $23 million in grants and loans to improve housing, education, and telecommunications in rural New Mexico. In addition the Food and Nutrition Service celebrated the transition to electronic issuance of food stamp benefits, ending 19 years of paper coupon use.
Patriot Day Observance: The following are excerpts from Deputy Secretary Moseley’s address to employees on September 11:
“September 11 shone a light on the great divide between regimes of tyranny and oppression and a nation ‘conceived in Liberty.’
“Two years’ time has neither diminished the pain, nor dulled the memory. It has put in perspective the ongoing march, since the founding of this nation, to defend our land and protect our freedoms, and it’s deepened our gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of Americans fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq and many other places in the world.
“In the two years since September 11, the nation has planned monuments and memorials. We’ve documented histories and recorded accounts of the moments and hours. We’ve planned events and ceremonies and delivered honors and awards, all to capture the emotion and to tell the story.
“As we remember 9/11 today and decades and generations from now, we will remember that some of the stories that must be told are here in the USDA family.
“For example, the world may know John Ogonowski as the captain of American Airlines Flight 11 that was hijacked and flown into the north tower of the World Trade Center. But we at USDA knew him as a dedicated FSA county official, an elected committeeman from Massachusetts, a part-time employee for 17 years with the Farm Service Agency.
“For the difference John made in the lives of immigrant farmers, helping them to find their part of the American Dream, President Bush signed legislation that includes renaming USDA’s Farmer-to-Farmer program, the John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer program.
“And eleven-year-old Asia Cottom, daughter of Michelle Cottom in the Agricultural Marketing Service. Asia was bound for a student science conference in California when her flight--American Airlines 77--was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon. Today we honor the life of young Asia and we remember the unknowable loss of her family.
“Yes, we had losses in the USDA family, but we also helped. Within three hours of the terrorist attacks, the Forest Service had deployed its first employees to New York City. Incident management teams followed fast and were critical to the massive rescue and recovery at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
“At the same time, the Disaster Food Stamp Program Team from the Northeast Region worked at FEMA sites directly with families of victims and did everything in its power to get assistance--simple helping hands--where needed.
“Laurie Hurd came from the Boston office to work in the disaster crisis center on Pier 94. She later told her story: ‘I was not prepared for this job,’ she said. ‘I was there, I thought, to help oversee a government disaster food program. I did not know how much this experience would affect me. I was able to witness a city coming together, people helping each other. I sobbed for the lost and mourned for the living, who had to deal with the lost sense of security in the world.’
“Today let us vow to remember and never forget, the nobility of those we have lost and those who have given so much in these two years to reaffirm, as President Bush has said, that ‘the great strength of America is the heart and soul of the American people.’” •
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Secretary
Ann M. Veneman (center) is flanked by
Larry Jones (left), founder and president
of Feed the Children, and George Jones,
executive director of Bread for the City, as she announces that surplus
non-fat dry milk will be distributed to nonprofit, faith-based and
community organizations for use in meal services or for distribution
to needy recipients. --Photo by Alice Welch |
Surplus NFDM To Go To Charities: Making the most of a surplus of non-fat dry milk (NFDM), Secretary Veneman announced 48 million pounds suitable for drinking will be donated to nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations for use in meal services or for distribution to needy recipients. “Partnering with faith-based and community organizations to provide a healthy food staple builds on President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative,” said Veneman. “This program will contribute to our efforts to meet nutritional requirements of those in need.” USDA also will donate 25 million pounds of non-fortified NFDM to charities for cooking or baking. •
APHIS Wins Against Exotic Newcastle Disease: Nearly one year after it was discovered, exotic Newcastle disease (END) has been eradicated in California and other states. END is an infectious, fatal viral disease that can affect all species of birds. “This administration is committed to enhancing our pest and disease control and prevention efforts,” Veneman said. “I congratulate all the state and federal personnel who have worked tirelessly to eradicate exotic Newcastle disease.” •
Rural Development: While in New Mexico, Secretary Veneman awarded the Mescalero Apache Tribe the largest Community Facilities funding package ever--some $22.5 million to build a K-12 school. Other loans and grants were provided to improving infrastructure and telecommunications. “The importance to rural America of having reliable telecommunications service for health and education needs cannot be understated,” said Veneman. “The economic well being and quality of life of our rural communities depends on access to modern technology.” •
Paper Food Stamps Replaced: The
Electronic Benefit Transfer system introduced by FNS in 1984 allows food
stamp recipients to transfer their government benefits directly to a retailer.
“The use of EBT is an important step in the on-going effort to improve
access for low-income households. With this technology, low-income families
are getting service faster and easier,” Veneman said. •
--Patricia Klintberg