USDA 


Feb 21 2017

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE 


CIVIL RIGHTS POLICY STATEMENT 


As Federal employees, we are sworn to maintain high standards ofethics and conduct while upholding the Constitution 

and the laws ofthe Nation. This obligation includes abiding by all laws concerning equal employment opp01tunity 

(EEO) and civil rights (CR). 

As your Acting Administrator, I am firmly committed to ensuring the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) 

compliance with civil rights and equal employment opportunity for everyone regardless ofrace, color, religion, sex 

(including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age ( 40 or over), disability, reprisal 

(for prior participation in an EEO activity or having opposed discrimination), political affiliation, marital status, 

parental status, or genetic info1mation. 

We must comply with every aspect ofour Nation's civil rights laws. To do otherwise is simply not acceptable and 

will not be tolerated. It is the policy ofAMS that discrimination in all phases ofemployment and delivery ofAMS 

services is sh·ictly prohibited. AMS is committed to diversifying its workforce; ensuring equal opportunity; 

respecting the civil rights ofall employees, applicants, clients and customers; and creating a work enviromnent that is 

free from discrimination and harassment, while accommodating the needs ofpersons with disabilities. All personnel 

policies, including recrnitment, selection, training, promotion, disciplinary measures, and transfers are required to 

be free of discrimination. AMS will pursue appropriate disciplinary action against any employee who engages in 

unlawful discrimination or retaliation. 

All executives, managers, supervisors, and employees ofAMS are expected to supp01t and comply with the 

Secretaiy's Civil Rights Policy Statement and the principles in this statement. I further expect each Deputy 

Administrator ai1d eve1y other manager to manage his/her EEO/CR Program in cooperation with the Agency's EEO 

resources, emphasizing proactive resolution ofEEO/CR complaints, complaint prevention strategies, and workforce 

diversity. 

I will use every means of evaluation to monitor and measure the implementation ofthe principles in this 

statement. Therefore, all employees will be held personally accountable for their conduct and performance, as public 

servants, in equal opportunity and civil rights. Only then can we fulfill our part of the Secretaiy's commitment to 

civil rights, equal employment opp01tunity, and diversity. 

Together we can create a better workplace for all employees by ensming that we ai·e an Agency that delivers programs 

and services to all people fairly with integrity and equality. 

If ai1 employee, applicant, or foimer employee believes that he/she has been discriminated against on any 

protected basis, he/she must contact the AMS Civil Rights Staffwithin 45 calendai· days ofthe alleged incident. 

Failure to do so may result in dismissal ofthe complaint for untimeliness. 

I look f01ward to fulfilling this vision and accomplishing our goals together as a unified and diversified team. 

B--J2... Q 

Bruce Summers 

Acting AMS Administrator