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January 21, 2004 The
Honorable George W. Bush
Executive Office of the President
1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500 Dear
President Bush: The
National Grange, the nation's oldest rural public interest and general agricultural
organization, would like to commend you on the goals you outlined in your recent
State of the Union Address. Since 1867, the Grange has served as an advocate for
U.S. agriculture and rural Americans. During our 137th Annual Convention, we unveiled
our new theme "Advocating for American Values". "Advocating for American Values"
is not a new concept for our organization; it is, and always has been, the very
essence of the Grange. With over 200,000 members in 37 states, the National
Grange works on many levels to enhance the quality of life for rural Americans
through implementing grassroots programs on the local and national levels.
To determine issues of priority, the National Grange has produced the "Blueprint
for Rural America 2004" as an outline for legislative activity for the coming
year. Like the Grange, the "Blueprint for Rural America" is not set in stone;
it is continually evolving to meet the growing needs of rural Americans. Every
year, the National Grange re-evaluates the 10-point plan laid out in the "Blueprint"
to make it relevant to rural citizen's anticipated legislative concerns.
Since
the beginning of your term as President, you have been faced with terrorist threats,
a brutal attack on American soil and a war with Iraq. It has been over two years
since the attacks on 9-11 and since then, you've made the security of the American
people one of your top priorities. In response to international and domestic threats
to our nation's security, the Grange has added the enhancement of homeland security
and public safety to its 10-point plan. Although significant, threats to our safety
are not limited to terrorism; we must contend with those threats that exist within
our borders. America's farmers must contend with verbal and physical threats instigated
by extremist environmental groups, illegal drug manufacturers basing their operations
in rural communities, contaminating the surrounding areas and the introduction
of invasive pests and diseases into our food supply. We
must remain vigilant in protecting our nation, a point you articulated so well
when you said "our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American
people. It is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable,
comforting - and false. The terrorists continue to plot against America and the
civilized world. And by our will and courage, this danger will be defeated". With
the capture of Saddam Hussein and the promotion of democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan,
this ideal is well on the way to being realized. Another important issue you touched
upon was energy production when you said "consumers and businesses need reliable
energy to make our economy run - so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize
our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent
on foreign sources of energy". We can achieve all three objectives by utilizing
biodeisel, ethanol and biomass energy that can be created from resources already
existing on America's farms. Furthermore, rural communities have plenty of land
and open space to develop facilities harnessing wind and solar power. Healthcare
is another issue of great importance to our members and other rural Americans.
In your address, you stated "our nation's health care system, like our economy,
is also in a time of change. Amazing medical technologies are improving and saving
lives. This dramatic progress has brought its own challenge, in the rising costs
of medical care and health insurance". We commend you on the efforts you have
made on behalf of Medicare recipients by initiating a prescription drug benefit
that enables low-income seniors to save significantly on the cost of their medications.
Although this constitutes a step in the right direction, the benefits outlined
in your plan are of little use if healthcare facilities are inaccessible to certain
segments of the population. That is why we urge you to remove the regulatory barriers
that rural health facilities face in regard to equitable reimbursement. We
are in complete agreement with the statement you made in your speech, "the values
we try to live by never change. And they are instilled in us by fundamental institutions,
such as families and schools and religious congregations. These institutions,
these unseen pillars of civilization, must remain strong in America, and we will
defend them". The National Grange seeks to become a pillar that upholds our civilization
by working with you to make this nation even greater. By sharing our "Blueprint
for Rural America 2004", we will continue our mission of "Advocating for America's
Values".
Sincerely,
William
Steel, President
National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry |
