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National Master's Address
139th Annual National Grange Convention
Columbus, Ohio - November 15, 2005
Officers and Delegates of the National Grange, Brothers and Sisters:
It is a privilege and an honor to convene this 139th Annual Session of the
National Grange here in Columbus, Ohio. This state has been our host nine
times, with four of those conventions here in Columbus. We extend our
appreciation to the Ohio State Grange leaders for the planning they have
done to get ready for this convention.
Several historic events are tied to conventions in Columbus. In 1936, the
National Secretary reported that exactly 500 organizations were set up
during the year in 34 states, the largest, most wide spread growth since
1874. Louis J. Tabor was Master, and Harry Caton, Secretary. Both were Ohio
residents.
In 1947, Brother Caton reported a growth of 365 new Grange units, spread
over all of the states, and a gain in membership over the past four years of
nearly 150,000. The Worthy High Priest, Charles M. Gardner, conferred the
Seventh Degree seven times over a period of two days on 18,157 candidates.
This is the largest class ever initiated into the Order.
On this day in 1975, the stage of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium was
filled with nearly one hundred youth as the curtain opened for the annual
Coronation Pageant. The young Grange members sang and signed three numbers
under the direction of the Rev. Dan Pokorny, Chaplain of Gallaudet College
of Washington DC. Thus began the Grange involvement in the sign a song
program, and lead to the participation the following year of Miss Deaf
America in the 1976 convention in Atlantic City, and the introduction of
“Lift Up Your Hand,” the first ever songbook in sign language.
Ohio has used the theme: “Blast Off” to get ready for this convention. On
Saturday evening at the Celebration Banquet, we will hear from Dr. Kathy
Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space. We look forward to
another historic convention in Columbus.
I will let each of the reports that follow serve as a report on the efforts
of the National Grange since our last convention in Rochester, New York.
I would call your attention to several legislative issues that are before
you as delegates to this 139th Annual Session.
The Agriculture Committee will be dealing again with the problem of animals,
meat and meat products possible contamination with Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE). Our current policy calls for no importation of live
animals or animal products until both can be confirmed as “clean” by
scientific data. During the past year the border with Canada has been
re-opened by USDA for the importation of fat cattle under the age of 30
months, destined for slaughter in a U.S. facility. No breeding stock is
currently permitted to come into the United States from any country where
BSE has been confirmed.
The U.S. is currently negotiating with Japan and South Korea to permit their
importation of beef. The major hang-up in the trade talks is the age of the
animal at slaughter. The Japanese and the Koreans are sticking to a 20-month
age limit. Only one suspected case of BSE was detected in the past year, and
further tests determined it to be brain-wasting disease, not BSE. The
current controls and testing seem to be working effectively.
The Committee has resolutions on both sides of the issue, and will need to
clarify what our official policy should be for the year ahead.
The Administration has held extensive hearings across the nation during the
past few months related to provisions that might be included in a new Farm
Bill slated to take effect in 2007. The Committee has been furnished with
material that will enable them to review our current policy relative to the
needs of tomorrow’s agricultural producers. I would encourage them to bring
recommendations, as they deem necessary.
Our policy on trade issues states that we “support legislation, trade
agreements, and other measures that will lead to the freeing of world trade
on a mutually beneficial basis.” This past year, the National Grange joined
with 80 other agricultural, commodity, and agribusiness associations in
support of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. CAFTA-DR levels the
playing field for essentially duty free access for the agricultural products
of five Central American nations and the Dominican Republic to enter the
United States, and for our exports to receive the same consideration there.
According to Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), a member of the House Ways and
Means Committee, tariffs on American farm exports entering the region will
be reduced and eventually eliminated. Nearly all of the Central American
food products already enter the United States duty-free. Current tariffs on
U.S. products entering the region now exceed 11percent on average, with some
as high as 150 percent.
Some in the sugar industry opposed the trade agreement. The additional
amount of sugar permitted to enter the country amounts to about one or two
teaspoon sized packs per week per American. If this amount causes a
destabilization of the sugar program in the United States, we have a buyout
mechanism that can be activated to protect our producers, just as the
buyouts in the peanut and tobacco sectors helped those producers adjust to
evolving market conditions.
Sugar is one commodity that has not been the subject of discussion by the
Agriculture Committee for a number of years. When reviewing the scope of the
trade agreement and our ability to support its passage, the decision was
made by the Master and Legislative Director to proceed. When in the view of
the Master there is further need to discuss an issue with the members of the
Executive Committee, it is done, either by e-mail or conference call. The
delegates are being asked to review that process by a resolution that has
been assigned to the Growth and Development Committee.
The Labor and Judiciary Committee is asked to thoroughly review the Grange
position on immigration. On one hand we ask for strict enforcement of
current immigration laws, and the documentation of alien workers. On the
other we ask for an exemption from the determination of citizenship process
for agricultural employers. Many sectors of agriculture require seasonal
help, some employ year-round workers in dairy and poultry production. What
to do with and for the undocumented within our society has become an issue
for discussion and solutions need to be found. All Americans need to be
involved in the solution.
What to do about Federal estate taxes will require much discussion again
this year. It appears that there will be some votes in the next session of
the Congress on the “death tax.” We need to be sure we are looking at all of
the sides of the issue. How a business or land is transferred from one
generation to another and what happens to the value in the process can have
great consequences for the continued operation of the enterprise, as well as
eventual possible tax liabilities.
It is great to be able to report this year that the Congress has passed a
comprehensive energy bill. But our problems are not over. Gasoline and
diesel fuel became in short supply when several devastating hurricanes
struck the Gulf of Mexico where many of the oil processing refineries are
located. The price at the pump skyrocketed - doubled or more in many
locations. The source of supply, where it is processed, and how it must be
structured in the final fuel, must continually be addressed. We also need to
be aware of the urge to place pricing restraints on suppliers. Ours has been
an open economic society, and it functions best without price controls.
Thanks to the 2005 ruling of the United States Supreme Court in the Kelo v.
City of New London case, the Conservation Committee will be dealing with a
number of resolutions related to private property rights and eminent domain.
In essence, the resolutions are calling for the National Grange to support
legislation that would prohibit the Federal Government or any agency or
authority thereof to exercise its power of eminent domain to take private
property for private economic development.
Further, legislation should be supported that would prohibit any State,
political subdivision, person, or entity representing the State from taking
private property for private economic development except in the case of
immediate danger to the health and/or safety of the citizenry. Should any of
the above exercise such powers for private benefit, all sources of federal
funding for economic development should be suspended for a period of two
years.
We’ve also furnished some reading material to the Health and Education
Committee. “A Call to Action” by Hank McKinnell, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer
Inc, summarizes the book in the sub-title: “Taking Back Healthcare for
Future Generations.” He effectively addresses the questions on development
and pricing of prescription drugs, and their marketing.
Mr. McKinnell suggests that we as individuals take responsibility for our
health, and take the steps necessary to change bad habits. He also calls for
the creation of specialized medical courts that would have expertise in
evaluating claims; mandatory health insurance for all just like auto
insurance; and extended patent rights for manufacturers.
The cost of healthcare coverage, medicines, and procedures continues to grow
faster than the inflation rate. We as patients desire the latest technology,
the best specific medication, and the most experienced physician. After all,
it is our health that we are dealing with. But again, we need to be wise
shoppers. And, we have to support those activities that make services
available to all at affordable prices.
I want to recognize those in our Legislative Department who work to carry
out the policies of the National Grange - Leroy Watson, Chil-Sook Hwang, and
Peter Banks.
We’ve had a good year in Washington. Each of the staff members has
contributed as changes have been made and steps have been taken to improve
our efficiency and effectiveness for the organization. Please give your
attention as each makes a report this morning.
The work of the day demands out attention. Let each prepare to assume his or
her responsibility.
Fraternally submitted,
William A. Steel, Master
The National Grange | 
