Glickman Receives Award from Black Mayors

September 20, 1999

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has been given the first annual Beacon Award by the National Conference of Black Mayors. The award is given for guidance and inspiration to bring about change and a positive impact on the lives of disenfranchised people.

Although black farmers continue to accuse USDA local offices of discrimination, USDA has agreed to a settlement with black farmers. USDA has stopped several thousand pending foreclosures until independent review teams certify that there is no evidence of unfair treatment. These independent reviews have become a regular step in USDA's handling of delinquent loans to ensure that no farmer faces USDA foreclosure as a result of discrimination.

In addition, USDA has increased minority representation on Farm Service Agency state committees by 10% and increased lending to minority and women producers.

NCBM President Jesse Norwood said Glickman "has worked very hard to change the culture at USDA for the future. He embodies all of the leadership skills, serving as a 'beacon' at USDA in his successful attempts to remedy past injustices affecting black farmers in particular."

Glickman said his department is "determined to ensure that every USDA customer and employee is treated fairly and equitably, with dignity and respect. We are aggressively working to right past wrongs to customers and employees, strengthen programs targeted to under-served populations and implement policies designed to prevent new problems from occurring."