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JULY 2002 |
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The
National Grange's 2002 Legislative Fly-In is a Big Success
From June
9 - 11, the National Grange hosted it's fifth annual Legislative Fly-In providing
Grange members from across the United States an opportunity to meet with their
senators and congressman as well as enjoy some of the landmarks and events Washington,
DC has to offer.
Speakers
and workshop leaders included those from organizations such as Verizon Communications,
Dittus Communications and the US Department of Agriculture. Presentations covered
diverse topics such as energy legislation, broadband access, prescription medication
issues along with a professionally mediated focus group "New Options About the
Grange." In addition to hearing speakers and participating in workshops, Fly-In
attendees got to attend the Washington Shakespeare Theatre's performance of "The
Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Carter Barron Amphitheater preceded by a picnic
in Rock Creek Park. On Tuesday, June 11th, Fly-In attendees had the opportunity to meet with their
Senators and Representatives to discuss issues covered in the "Blueprint for Rural
America" and to hear a presentation from Representative Howard Coble (NC) over
a continental breakfast. In addition to providing opportunities to meet with elected
officials, Legislative Directors and Masters in attendance lent their signatures
to a full-page ad addressing the necessity for prescription drug coverage featured
in Roll Call newspaper, a daily publication with circulation of over 19,000 readers.
Between Congressional visits, a luncheon was held in the exclusive Members' Dining
Room of the US House of Representatives hosted by Rep. and Mrs. Eliot Engel (NY)
and a guided tour of the Capitol Building was given. An opportunity to witness
Congress in session was also included in the day's events. Upon returning to the
National Grange, a farewell dinner was hosted at the Old Ebbit Grill.
This
year's Legislative Fly-In provided both educational and recreational opportunities,
which we hope to continue and improve upon with each coming year. We would like
to thank sponsors such as Verizon Communications, Issue Dynamics, Inc., Coalition
for Affordable and Reliable Energy (CARE), BellSouth Communications and the National
Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition for providing speakers and financial support.
The National Grange would also like to express its appreciation to Pat Engel for
arranging the luncheon in the Member's Dining Room at the House of Representatives
and the tour of the US Capitol Building. Thank you all for making this event such
a memorable and enjoyable experience. To those who attended this year's Legislative
Fly-In and to those who were unable to attend, we look forward to seeing you next
year. Comments by Fly In 2002 participants included:
| "My
deep appreciation to you and your very capable staff for what was for me a very
successful 'Fly-In.'" | Carolyn
Rinta
Alder Creek Grange, Bickleton, WA |
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Joe
Victorine
Tulelake Grange, CA | "As
one of the attendees at the recent Grange Fly-In 2002, I would like to thank you
for the well-planned and presented program. The speakers and workshop leaders
were well prepared and gave very interesting and informative presentations. It
is too bad every Granger couldn't have experienced this, too." |
| |
| "Thank
you again, for a wonderful Fly-In 2002. As usual I was pleased with the complete
program and the two NJ Legislators that I had appointments with - aides - were
very knowledgeable. I had asked the aide at Senator Corzine's office when he was
going to be in my area so that I could personally speak with him. When I got back
there was a call from him on my answering machine with that information." | L.
Claire Grisset
New Jersey State Grange. | top
Leroy Watson Joins the Board of Directors for the Alliance
for Public Technology
Leroy Watson, Legislative Director for the National
Grange recently joined the board of directors for the Alliance for Public Technology
(APT). The Alliance for Public Technology, a non-profit, individual membership
based organization with headquarters in Washington DC, is dedicated to fostering
access to affordable advanced telecommunications, information services and technologies
for all Americans. APT has continuously advocated for the ubiquitous deployment
of "broadband" or high-speed Internet services to underserved communities to foster
greater opportunities for better health care, education, public safety and employment. APT has included
the following educational programs: the annual "Broadband Forum" held in February
2002 that showcased practical applications of broadband technologies in real world
situations for Washington DC policy makers; publication of a white paper entitled
Advanced Services, Enhanced Lives, showcasing several case studies on the life-enhancing
applications of broadband technology while pointing out existing barriers to further
deployment; an annual awards luncheon honoring outstanding individuals for their
achievements on behalf of equitable access to telecommunications services; an
informative newsletter entitled APT News and a website located at www.apt.org.
"I am honored
to be elected to serve on the board of directors of the Alliance for Public Technology,"
said Watson. "I am looking forward to bringing the perspectives of farming and
rural communities to the national debate on the expansion of broadband technologies.
I am also looking forward to fostering new alliances with other technologically
underserved communities across the nation as we work together though a truly outstanding
organization, the Alliance for Public Technology, to bring the promise of high
speed internet technologies to every American," Watson concluded.
top National
Grange Supports Long Distance and Local Phone Service Competition
The
National Grange recently wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
to support BellSouth's application to provide in-region, interlata services in
the states of Alabama; Kentucky; Mississippi; North Carolina and South Carolina.
Limited competition for phone services in rural communities in these states force
rural residents to use long distance services for such things as Internet access
and for contacting services such as law enforcement, local government, hospitals,
attorneys and doctor's offices. Many
rural areas have only one local and long distance service provider. BellSouth's
entry would drive down the basic phone rates that rural consumers pay for long
distance service. In addition, BellSouth's authorization would also reduce the
instances of rural residents who have to make toll calls and rely on long distance
service in order to use the Internet services. Approval of this application to
the FCC is necessary in order for the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi,
North Carolina and South Carolina to enjoy the benefits of a more competitive
telecommunications market.
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National Grange Produces Comprehensive Energy Bill Report
The National
Grange has produced a side-by-side comparison report on a comprehensive energy
bill now working its way through Congress. The House and Senate have passed their
respective version of comprehensive energy legislation, as H.R.4 and S.517, and
established a Conference Committee, which is the final stage before sending the
legislation to the president. The Grange side-by-side report presents the positions
of Senate, House, and National Grange on each major provision.
The National Grange promotes increased use of fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel,
which are derived from agricultural resources. This legislation supports opening
all restricted public lands in rural areas to energy resource development in an
environmentally sound manner; it opposes conservation regulations that increase
costs to farmers and consumers without providing benefits such as increases in
Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and opposes electricity deregulation
proposals that do not treat rural consumers equitably with other consumers.
To see this report click here. For more
details, contact Chil-Sook Hwang in the National Grange Legislative Department
by phone (202) 628-3507 ext 109, fax (202) 347-1091, or by e-mail chwang@nationalgrange.org
top TX
State Grange Legislative Director Aubrey E. (Sandy) Sanderson Passes Away
Aubrey E. (Sandy) Sanderson, long time Legislative Director for the Texas State
Grange passed away June 23, 2002, at the age of 70 in Fort Worth. For more than
37 years, Sandy was employed with the U.S. Air Force, two other Department of
Defense agencies, and the U.S. Postal Service. He retired July 1, 1972, from the
Air Force with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. On Dec. 1, 1990, he retired
from the Postal Service as a clerk. Sandy was very active in community affairs
and throughout the years was involved in the following activities: serving as
a past president of the Boerne Lions Club; past Master of the Boerne Grange; past
Master of the commander and life member of Bruno Phillip Post 688 of the Veterans
of the Kendall County United Way; a member and lay-reader of St. Helena's Episcopal
Church; a member of AARP; a member of both the Boerne Fellowship Group and the
U.S. Air Force Security Service/Electronic Security Command Association. Sandy
was also a charter member of the Alamo chapter of the National Military Intelligence
Association, served as a mentor at Curington Elementary School in Boerne, a member
and secretary to the Texas State Grange Executive Committee and volunteer with
the Boerne Area Chamber of Commerce. "Sandy
Sanderson was a dedicated Grange member who was committed to the success of our
Legislative Program. I will sorely miss his advice and counsel," said National
Grange Legislative Director, Leroy Watson. Cards may be sent to his sister Coleen
Sanderson at 237 Upper Cibolo Rd., Boerne, Texas 78006.
top ESA
Sound Science Legislation Passes House Resources Committee
On July 10th,
the House Resources Committee favorably voted to report H.R. 4840, the "Sound
Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2002" by a vote of 22-18. This
now clears the way for consideration of this legislation by the full House of
Representatives. A substitute version of the bill offered by Committee Ranking
Member Nick Rahall (D-WV) that was supported by most of the Committee Democrats
also included a peer review requirement for all Endangered Species Act (ESA) decisions.
With every member of the Committee in attendance voting for either the Hansen
or Rahall version of the bill, it is clear that there is widespread recognition
of the need for independent peer review in ESA decisions. This
recent ESA reform victory is due in part to the efforts of the National Endangered
Species Act Reform Coalition and its committed membership including the National
Grange. The timetable for full House consideration is still uncertain.
top 2002
Farm Bill Media Report Now Available
"Through
the Looking Glass: How the Press and Pundits Saw the 2002 Farm Bill"
This
report, based on articles reviewed from several mainstream media sources, was
created to provide National Grange members with a better understanding of how
public opinion is currently being shaped regarding passage of H.R. 2646 - The
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act or as it's better known, the 2002 Farm
Bill. We are hoping that in addition to helping members better understand media
coverage of the Farm Bill; this report will
be helpful in allowing the Grange to understand the rest of America's perception
of rural issues and to raise awareness of the importance of the agricultural industry
to the security and prosperity of this country.
State
Granges Sign on the National Dairy Market Loss Payment Letter
On July
17, the National Grange Action Alert on the National Dairy Market Loss Payment
Program was sent to all the State Grange Masters and Legislative Directors. It
included a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, which State Granges
were asked to sign. The letter urged the Secretary of Agriculture to include two
critical provisions in the new regulations implementing the national dairy market
Loss payment Program. The first provision, "Guidelines allowing multiple 2.4 million
annual production cap approvals," would recognize the ability of multi-family
dairy operations to receive full payment shares under the National Dairy Market
Loss Payment Program. The second recommendation, "Selection procedures of months
for producers to receive counter-cyclical deficiency payments" would allow individual
dairy farmers to select the timing of their market loss payments to best fit within
their cyclical production. Grange states participating in this letter included:
Connecticut; Idaho; Illinois; Michigan; Missouri; New Hampshire; New York and
Vermont.
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