Release No. 0018.01![](media/image1.png){width="6.497222222222222in"
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Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623

[andy.solomon@usda.gov]{.underline}

**GLICKMAN HIGHLIGHTS 6-YEAR RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AT USDA**

WASHINGTON, January 16, 2001 -- In his final press conference as
Agriculture Secretary, Dan Glickman today reviewed his six-year record
of accomplishment at the Department, highlighting his efforts to enhance
USDA's role in improving the lives of all Americans, not simply the
nation's farmers and ranchers.

"While farm issues remain at the heart of this Department, USDA serves
all Americans by ensuring food safety, promoting good nutrition, helping
build strong rural economies, and protecting our natural resources,"
said Glickman. "Broadening USDA's role and impact has been my primary
goal and, I believe, my greatest accomplishment as Agriculture
Secretary."

Glickman released a report to President Clinton, "Harvest of Hope," that
highlights recent major achievements at the Department, including --

***Helping America's Farmers and Ranchers***

-   Since 1996, USDA has provided \$71 billion in direct payments to
    help American farmers and ranchers, including a record \$28 billion
    in fiscal year 2000.

-   USDA laid out the principles that became the foundation of the
    Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, which reforms the federal
    crop insurance system to make it more affordable and accessible.

-   USDA announced national organic standards that provide information
    for consumers and will encourage even greater growth and opportunity
    in this \$6 billion market.

-   Secretary Glickman has aggressively promoted farmers markets, which
    have grown by nearly two-thirds over the last six years.

-   USDA is helping increase demand for ethanol and soy-based biodiesel
    by making payments to bioenergy companies that agree to expand their
    production.

-   USDA issued mandatory price reporting regulations, which will
    enhance competition and create fairer market conditions, especially
    for smaller livestock producers.

-more-

***Expanding Agricultural Trade Opportunities***

-   USDA was a key advocate for extending Permanent Normal Trade
    Relations to China, which could help boost farm exports by as much
    as \$2 billion per year. Glickman led a Presidential delegation to
    China to see first-hand the benefits of the U.S.-China trade
    relationship.

-   USDA and USTR submitted proposals for the next round of WTO
    agricultural negotiations, urging elimination of export subsidies,
    reduction of tariffs, reform of state-trading enterprises, and
    increased trade in new technologies.

***Fighting Hunger and Malnutrition at Home and Abroad***

-   Food stamp benefits were restored to thousands of legal immigrants
    and a new food stamps education effort was launched. USDA began
    providing free school breakfasts to children in six school
    districts.

-   A 1998 USDA-sponsored conference on childhood obesity sparked a
    national conversation on the issue. And our Great Nutrition Debate
    featured a lively discussion on popular diets. At the National
    Nutrition Summit, USDA and HHS released new dietary guidelines that
    included, for the first time, recommendations on exercise and food
    safety.

-   Under Secretary Glickman's leadership, USDA dramatically increased
    humanitarian food aid around the world, helping to avert a major
    famine in the Horn of Africa. USDA is leading a new presidential
    initiative called Global Food for Education, which is investing
    \$300 million to create school feeding programs in developing
    nations.

***Protecting Our Natural Resources on Private and Public Lands***

-   Secretary Glickman has led a shift in forestry policy, away from a
    focus simply on timbering and toward more of a multi-use philosophy,
    emphasizing recreation, species protection, clean water and other
    goals. He approved a plan to protect nearly 60 million acres of
    pristine national forest land from additional road-building.

-   At Secretary Glickman's recommendation, President Clinton created a
    national monument to protect the world's only remaining giant
    Sequoia trees.

-   Thousands of USDA personnel risked their lives to respond to last
    year's devastating forest fire season. And Secretaries Glickman and
    Babbitt won significant funding increases for federal fire
    prevention and suppression efforts.

***Ensuring a Safe American Food Supply***

-   USDA has revolutionized the nation's meat and poultry inspection
    system. The new, science-based HACCP system has helped significantly
    reduce *Salmonella* on raw product and cut foodborne illnesses.

-more-

***Empowering Rural Communities***

-   During the Clinton-Gore Administration, USDA has invested \$62
    billion in rural America, helping upgrade infrastructure and expand
    business opportunities.

-   Through the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Initiative, more
    than \$2 billion has been invested in the nation's poorest areas,
    helping create or save 11,000 rural jobs.

-   Our Water 2000 initiative has helped 3 million Americans gain access
    to safer drinking water and wastewater disposal services.

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-   Since 1993, USDA has provided the financing for the construction or
    repair of 350,000 single family housing units, and almost 62,000
    multi-family housing units.

***Biotechnology: Promoting its Potential, Ensuring Its Safety***

-   USDA has taken steps to further strengthen its biotechnology
    regulatory process and increase consumer confidence in it. Secretary
    Glickman asked the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a
    thorough review of our procedures and methodologies and recommend
    possible improvements.

-   USDA will soon open a laboratory in Kansas City, Missouri that will
    evaluate biotechnology testing procedures and accredit those
    independent testing labs that meet performance standards. USDA is
    also soliciting public comment on what, if any, additional steps
    USDA should take to facilitate marketing of genetically modified
    crops.

-   Secretary Glickman is interested in hearing from all sides on this
    complex issue. Early last year, he named the members of the USDA
    Advisory Committee on Biotechnology, a diverse group that brings a
    wide range of perspectives and expertise to the table.

***Civil Rights at USDA: The Dawn of a New Era***

-   Improving USDA's civil rights performance \-- making the Department
    a place where all employees, partners and customers are treated with
    fairness and respect \-- has been a top priority for Secretary
    Glickman. Over 99 percent of USDA employees have completed civil
    rights training.

-   Between fiscal year 1995 and 1999, USDA lending to African-American
    farmers has increased by two-thirds. Thanks to improved outreach,
    women and minorities received 59 percent more in USDA farm loans in
    1999 than in 1998.

-   Through improved recruitment and stronger relationships with
    minority-serving colleges and universities, the USDA workforce has
    grown more diverse. Minorities now represent 21 percent of USDA
    employees, the highest level in the history of the Department.

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