"For the toughness of the serpent I would say we need to strengthen our systems, our programs and civil rights enforcement. We need to set a benchmark, a baseline to which future managers, future Secretaries and future Administrations will be held accountable. However, establishing policy means nothing without meaningful execution. But because USDA is a very decentralized organization -- much more so than most federal agencies and departments -- Very few places in the government are organized like we are here in the USDA.[emphasis added]. It is the responsibility of every under secretary, every administrator, every manager in every county to ensure that the civil rights policies of this department are carried out. SOURCE: Audio/Video media - Dan Glickman "On Civil Rights 2000: A Continuing Journey. June 29, 2000
Full Text - June 29, 2000, USDA Secretary Dan Glickman's Civil Rights "2000: A Continuing Journey"
Bob Bergland, Former Secretary of Agriculture
"The Forest Service is impenetrable. You can't get inside it."SOURCE: Chainsaw Justice: The U.S. Forest Service out of Control. Steven T. Taylor, 1995, citing PBS-TV "Frontline" program on U.S. Department of Agriculture, broadcast on Oct. 25, 1994.".
Peter C. Myers, Former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
"We are more aware here in Washington of the headquarters problems because of the few incidents that have been reported in the press. But our field staff is far flung, and in general has been delegated decision-making authority. [emphasis added] So it is possible that we have a few decision-makers out there who don't use good judgement in dealing with their fellow workers, or don't use good judgement in dealing with other people. Still, I have no reason at this point to believe we have widespread difficulties".
SOURCE: USDA News, Volume 45, Number 6, June 1986. (Photo by Jay Beavers)
Paul Fiddick, Former Assistant Secretary for Administration
"The Department of Agriculture is a confederation of agencies." SOURCE: June 21, 2000 meeting with the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees
"To ensure broad participation on the [USDA Advisory] councils please consider employees in various occupations, grades, ethnicity and disability status. Since more than 80% of our employees work outside of the National Capital Region, we are particularly interested in having significant representation from the field." SOURCE: December 27, 2000, memorandum all mission areas, implementing the Secretary's Advisory Councils
Richard E. Lyng, Former USDA Secretary
"Here is a word of caution: Do not take this matter lightly. I expect you to assume personal responsibility and accountability for complying with the recommendations and assessment;[emphasis added] and, I expect you to correct any program or management practice that results in inequitable treatment. Failure to do this will be viewed as a grievous weakness in management which, in my view, no other accomplishments can offset". SOURCE: USDA News, Volume 45, Number 6, June 1986
Full Text - June 6, 1986, USDA Secretary Richard E, Lyng's Civil Rights Statement
Earl Butz, Former Secretary of Agriculture
"I might have become a lawyer or a school teacher somewhere, and missed the wonderful career Purdue gave me," SOURCE: Purdue University, Purdue Agriculture Briefs July 1999.
