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NOVEMBER 2002 |
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National
Grange "Imagines the Possibilities" at its 136th Annual Convention
During
the week of November 11th - 17th, the National Grange held its 136th Annual Convention
in Portland, OR. This years' convention encouraged members and delegates to "Imagine
the Possibilities." This was an event in which the Grange could honor its traditions
through celebrations, ceremonies and rituals while simultaneously creating policies
that will ensure a brighter future for rural Americans. Over the years, the National
Grange has served as advocate to the American farmer, petitioning for such things
as rural mail delivery over a century ago to broadband deployment for the new
millennium.
In
keeping with this vital tradition, the National Grange maintains a policy development
process originating in thousands of Community Granges across the nation. Each
Community Grange creates and submits resolutions to State Granges addressing issues
affecting them at the state and/or national level. National/issue resolutions
are submitted to the State Granges, and then forwarded to the National Grange.
The National Grange Annual Convention provides a forum in which these resolutions
can be reviewed. It provides Grangers from across the country the opportunity
to make their voices heard on issues affecting the nation. This year, 216 separate
policy resolutions were submitted to the National Grange for consideration. During
this time, the National Grange adopted farm policies that will be instrumental
in preserving the American farmers way of life. These policies support legislation
that will enable the current generation of farmers to retire with dignity; promote
research and funding for organic agricultural practices; make necessary farm chemicals
more affordable; and encourage the use of biotechnology while at the same time
protecting intellectual property rights of those who create advances in the development
of bio-engineered crops and livestock. They called on the USDA to fully enforce
the Packers and Stockyards Act and to streamline procedures distributing disaster
and market loss payments to family farmers. In addition, the Grange also encouraged
the Federal government to take a more aggressive approach towards resolving the
irrigation dispute between the U.S. and Mexico.
The
Annual Convention also allowed Grange members to be heard regarding practices
that signify this country's legacy, specifically the Pledge of Allegiance and
the teaching of the Constitution. The National Grange adopted policies opposing
changes in the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance and the placement of restrictions
on displaying the U.S. Flag. They supported policies that would educate America's
youth about our history, namely teaching about the Declaration of Independence
and the U.S. Constitution. In addition, the Grange reaffirmed its commitment to
fighting terrorism and acknowledging the dedication and courage of our fellow
Americans by urging Governors to declare an official "Remembrance of September
11th Day." In
an effort to preserve the private property rights expressed in the U.S. Constitution,
state constitutions and common law, the Grange called for an immediate overhaul
of the 1973 Endangered Species Act which would allow all Americans to share equitably
in the costs of species conservation. They called for Congress to control appeals
of the U.S. Forest Service timber sales and for a moratorium to be placed on federal
funding for the creation of new wetlands. Other topics of discussion included
the opposition to Prairie Dog management programs requiring special licenses to
shoot them or control them through toxicants and opposition to banning the private
use of trash burning barrels. In response to U.S. dependence on foreign oil imports,
the Grange supported policies encouraging the development and utilization of alternate
sources of energy such as wind and solar power and the use of alternative fuels,
such as ethanol. The
National Grange also expressed concern regarding those policies affecting America's
youth. They expressed support for full funding of public education programs, including
those geared towards special needs students and the upgrade of telecommunications
facilities in our nation's schools. In addition, the Grange called upon local
schools to phase out the use of vending machines serving junk food and soda pop,
replacing them with those offering healthier alternatives. Health care was another
issue of concern; members and delegates encouraged policies that would promote
affordability and availability of health services to rural Americans.
During the convention, delegates adopted a resolution supporting the creation
of a Homeland Security Department. They sent over 250 individual postcards to
their U.S. Senators urging them to pass the Homeland Security Act. They encouraged
the availability of educational information regarding preparation for possible
chemical, biological or nuclear attacks. The National Grange also recommended
a policy to remove trade, financial and travel restrictions to Cuba. Other
policies adopted included the support for exempting all social security benefits
from personal income taxes. The Grange urged the U.S. Department of Justice to
prosecute corporate and cooperative executives suspected of illegal actions resulting
in bankruptcy and to confiscate and return illegal gains to employees and shareholders.
They also opposed extending Community Reinvestment Act requirements to insurance
companies. In
the area of Transportation, delegates voted to support additional funding for
affected states for the increased maintenance of roadways as a result of NAFTA.
They also called for a ban on high-density discharge (HID) headlights to improve
road safety and encouraged additional Federal financial support for emergency
and medical services provided by local governments. Activity at the Annual Convention was not limited to legislative activities; there
were events in which delegates and non-delegates could participate. Attendees
and their guests were treated to an Oregon State Tour, a tradeshow complete with
crafts for sale; and demonstrations for programs such as the "Dogs for the Deaf;"
speakers; banquets and youth activities. The Annual Convention is a tradition
that exemplifies what the National Grange is all about: providing a legislative
voice and a nationwide community for rural Americans in which all can come together
and "Imagine the Possibilities."
top William "Bill" Lunch Speaks at Grange Celebration Banquet
During the Annual Convention,
attendees at the Grange Celebration Banquet had the opportunity to hear a talk
from renowned speaker and professor, William "Bill" Lunch, a professor of the
Political Science Department at Oregon State University. In addition to his academic
accomplishments, he is also a political analyst and respected author. His political
commentary has been heard on National Public Radio (NPR), International Canadian
Radio as well as the BBC; he is also coordinator and political analyst for Oregon
Public Broadcasting Co. Professor Lunch is the author of a book titled "The Nationalization
of American Politics" as well as having had his commentary appear in publications
such as the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Oregonian. The
title of his discussion was "The Age of Radical Individualism: Do Community Organizations
Have a Future?" Throughout his discussion, Professor Lunch illustrated how community
organizations are a reflection on American society. He stated that civic organizations
such as the National Grange "are a grand American tradition which reflect one
of a couple of strains in our national character," and "despite American society's
individualism, it also a characteristic of ours to work together towards common
goals." Furthermore, he points out that "the Grange, like many other community
organizations, is very much in keeping with the central notion James Madison had
when he devised the Constitutional system of government." Professor
Lunch pointed out the decline over the last 30 years of membership in community
organizations such as the National Grange. He attributes this to demographic changes
in society, such as women in the workplace and the current demands on people's
time. Cultural and economic changes make it difficult for people to participate.
However, he stated that "traditions of community involvement are not dead; they
may be in a bit of a slumber but the evidence is that we do care about our communities
and that when organizations reach out to others, it's possible to recruit them"
Most importantly of all, according to Professor Lunch, "organizations such as
the Grange have a lot to do with shaping who we are and what we're going to be."
top Motivational
speaker Jay Lehr Encourages "Change In the Grange"
On November 15th,
the National Grange had the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker, Jay Lehr,
PhD. Dr. Lehr is the Science Director of the Heartland Institute, a non-profit,
conservative-libertarian think tank based in Chicago, IL. He holds an engineering
degree from Princeton University along with a PhD in environmental science and
agricultural economics; he is the author of fifteen college textbooks; is currently
in training for his tenth World Ironman Triathlon Championship and has set a world
record for skydiving. The
goal of his address was to "re-create the original Grange" and "bring the Grange
back into prominence." He went on to say that Grange members "personify what America
was created for, what our founders envisioned, and what the agricultural community
was, and still is." Even though so much has changed over the years, with less
than two percent of members making their living from agriculture, Grangers "still
have rural roots, promoting family values that are so critical to this country."
Dr. Lehr discussed
issues covered in the "Blueprint for Rural America" such as the inheritance tax,
rural education, public safety and the environment. Particular concern was expressed
regarding the impact of environmental policies such as the Endangered Species
Act and fanatical organizations such as the Earth Liberation Front were having
not only on rural America, but also their affect on society as a whole. Dr. Lehr
stated that these are entities that undermine private property rights and capitalism,
two things that are vital to the survival of family farms. Dr. Lehr urged each
Community and State Grange to "grab one, maybe two of these issues and run with
it." Once this is determined, each Grange must be more active, promote their programs
that will gain visibility and make a difference. By
focusing on a particular issue, each Grange can make a major impact by enhancing
the image of the farmer and combat misconceptions and stereotypes. Because, Dr.
Lehr concludes, "it's not about saving the Grange, not about making the Grange
more visible, it's really about saving America."
top President
Signs "Homeland Security Act of 2002"
The National Grange is pleased
to report that on November 25th, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 5005, otherwise
known as the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This comes as a pleasant surprise
to Grange members; during the Annual Convention, delegates submitted postcards
to their U.S. Senators urging them to pass this legislation. H. R. 5005 will provide
much needed protection against future terrorist attacks along with other possible
or potential threats to domestic security. The
main purpose of this bill is to establish the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) to protect the United States from terrorist attacks. According to the Congressional
Budget Office (CBO), the estimated cost of implementing H.R. 5005 would be roughly
$3 billion between 2003-2007. The DHS would focus on such things as protecting
infrastructure; developing countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological
and nuclear attacks; secure U.S. borders; emergency preparedness and the coordination
of counter-terrorism activities in both the public and private sectors. To
ensure that these objectives will be met, the following agencies will be consolidated
into this new government agency: The Coast Guard; Customs Service; border inspectors
at the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); enforcement officials at
the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and the Secret Service. Not only does H.R. 5005 better equip government
agencies to respond to possible threats, it authorizes the DHS to have a special
liaison with the private sector promoting public and private partnerships. It
allows for technology integration and establishes a national Council for First
Responders. An extra provision has been made that will ensure that the District
of Columbia is included in plans for domestic preparedness and recovery from terrorist
attacks. A Homeland Security Research Center at one of the National Laboratories
of the National Nuclear Security Administration will be established in order to
continue making progress in the areas of scientific research. In addition, the
Secretary of Homeland Security will have access to any Federally Funded Research
and Development Center in both the public and private sectors, including universities,
to support homeland security research and conduct independent analysis on related
topics.
In order
to maintain a balance between ensuring the security and protecting the freedoms
of all Americans, specific legal protections exist within this bill. For instance,
the federal government will not have the authority to nationalize drivers' licenses
and other ID cards. Draft of this bill will also include language that will prohibit
programs such as "Operation TIPS" that encourage citizens to act as spies and
informants against their fellow citizens. Within the DHS an office of Civil Rights
and Civil Liberties would also be established. Passage
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is a cause for celebration for the National
Grange and for all Americans. By protecting us from future attacks while still
taking into account our civil liberties, the DHS will ensure that the United States
of America remains a strong, safe and free society.
top President
Bush Declares November 22 - 28 "National Farm-City Week"
In recognition
of agriculture workers across the country, President Bush declared November 22nd
- 28th "National Farm-City Week." In this proclamation, President Bush stressed
the relevance of America's agricultural industry to the well being of all citizens.
"Farm-city collaborations help maintain and improve our Nation's food supply and
contribute to a better quality of life for countless citizens. With this Farm-City
Week observance, we commend the many Americans whose hard work and ingenuity reflect
the true spirit of America and help ensure a prosperous future for all," says
President Bush. In
addition, he called upon "citizens to strengthen our understanding of the American
farm-city partnership by participating in appropriate community events and celebrations." For a complete transcript of the proclamation and additional information, you
can visit the Press Secretary's page on the official White
House web site.
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