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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 |
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National
Grange "Advocates for American Values" at it's 137th Annual Convention
The
National Grange 137th Annual Convention in Burlington, VT consisted of a weeks'
worth of activity in which all members and delegates focused on the Grange's future
while honoring its traditions. This year saw some surprising changes, such as
the election of a new Grange president, changes in officers and the unveiling
of the new National Grange theme, "Advocating for American Values".
Even
though this is the official "new theme" for the Grange, "Advocating for American
Values" has always been the underlying philosophy driving all Grange activities.
When asked to define "American values", there are many things that come to mind.
They include civic participation, honoring the role of family in society, the
individual pursuit of life and liberty and most important of all, looking towards
the future while maintaining those values that make this a strong nation. One
of the most significant values of American society is our system of government,
which is shaped by civic participation. Civic participation also serves as the
cornerstone of the National Grange philosophy. This was evident when the Grange
lobbied for rural mail delivery service over a century ago to currently lobbying
for telecommunications access. With participation in political process comes responsibility;
the National Grange allows its members to fulfill their responsibilities as citizens
by educating them about how democracy works and how to exercise their power in
influencing future policy. Grassroots
training and legislative education have been a vital part of Grange activity.
The National Grange Legislative Program has always sought to meet the needs of
its members by offering programs facilitating contact with those in power. Examples
include the Legislative Fly-In program held in the spring in which members have
the opportunity to go to Capitol Hill and meet with their representatives, in
addition to educational workshops and cultural events. After six years of success,
the program has been extended to include the Legislative Fly-In II introduced
for the winter of 2004. The Legislative Fly-In II will provide hands-on experience
in political campaigning right where the action is - the New Hampshire Presidential
Primary. Throughout the year, the Grange Legislative Program initiates letter
and post-card writing campaigns along with a monthly legislative conference call,
all which empower local Granges to work on behalf of causes and issues that will
have far reaching effects.
In
addition to being a grassroots, rural public interest organization, the Grange
is also a family and community organization. The Grange provides a forum in which
members can come together and enhance the lives of those in their surrounding
communities. Whether it be hosting potluck suppers, volunteer work or forming
a new Grange chapter focusing on a particular issue, each and every member can
play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life affecting not only their surrounding
communities, but society as a whole. "Advocating for American Values - These words
will be our guiding light as we enter into the new year, and for all the years
to come." Said past President, Kermit Richardson. "These words will illuminate
our efforts to build and strengthen our nation not for the moment, not just for
our generation, but rather for succeeding generations that will love, protect
and serve this nation." Furthermore, with over 137-years of history and a bright
future ahead, by "Advocating for American Values", the Grange was, and will continue
to be, a force to be reckoned with.
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National Grange Elects Bill Steel as New President 
After
years of dedicated service, Pennsylvania native and former overseer Bill Steel
was elected to the National Grange's highest office during its 137th Annual Convention.
Mr. Steel's involvement with the Grange began over 50 years ago when he first
joined the Big Knob Juvenile Grange. He has held varied positions within the Grange
including Master of his Juvenile, Subordinate, Pomona and State Granges, Director
of Youth Activities and most recently, Overseer. A
native of Pennsylvania, Bill Steel is active in the Lutheran Church and has served
his congregation as a certified lay worship leader since 1991. In addition, he
is also a former representative for Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal
benefit society and serves as an agricultural trustee for Pennsylvania State University.
Bill is the father of three sons and the grandfather of two. His wife, Mary-Lee
passed away in 1998. "The
Grange is recognized as an historical organization, a voice for farmers, rural
residents and families across America. It is our opportunity today to establish
legislative goals that will leave a legacy of achievement, from the local Grange
in its community, to the state and national level." Said Mr. Steel. "It's now
our chance to influence tomorrow's history."
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Grange Receives Message from President Bush
President George W. Bush joins
a long list of presidents to send encouraging messages to the National Grange.
Throughout its 137-year history, the National Grange has received congratulatory
messages from every president of the United States from Ulysses S. Grant to George
W. Bush. The
President's message emphasizes the Grange's importance to American agriculture
and to rural communities: "Agriculture is a cornerstone of American life. Our
citizens depend on farmers for food, clothing, and to be responsible stewards
of our land. Since 1867, the National Grange has played an important role in supporting
agricultural production across our country. By equipping farm owners and operators
with the information necessary to succeed and compete in the global marketplace,
your organization helps strengthen our Nation." To obtain copies of past presidential
messages, please contact Shaletta Espie at sespie@nationalgrange.org.
Healthy
Forest Restoration Act signed into Law
In response to the destruction
and devastation wrought by unchecked wildfires in the last couple of years, President
Bush signed H.R. 1904 into law, also known as the Healthy Forest Restoration Act
of 2003. Although there were fewer forest fires this past year than in 2000 and
2002, 3.8 million acres of land have burned and the lives of twenty-eight firefighters
have been lost. Earlier this year, the President took an extensive tour of the
Summerhaven community to survey the damage caused by the Aspen Fire of June 2002
(VFTH September 2003). During this trip he proposed the Healthy Forests Initiative,
a program that would increase funds for precautionary measures to lessen the damage
caused by such fires. Preventative measures include forest thinning through controlled
burns and removal of brush and undergrowth. Environmental
groups, such as the Sierra Club, have expressed concern that the benefits gained
would not be significant and would result in excessive logging. There is also
suspicion that the Bush administration is catering to the logging industry. "The
timber industry fought real hard for this bill for a reason and it's not because
they want to remove brush and chaparral," said Sierra forest expert, Sean Cosgrove.
"Through and through, this thing is about increasing commercial logging with less
environmental oversight." The
Healthy Forest Restoration Act will establish an expedited process allowing the
Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to begin a fuels reduction program
that will minimize the risk of wildfire - a process that will remain in effect
until 20 million acres of the highest risk areas are treated. The bill will authorize
$760 million a year for thinning projects on 20 million acres of federal land,
resulting in a $340 million increase. It also proposes that at least half of these
funds be distributed to areas near homes and communities.
Opportunities
for public participation are another provision, including the holding of public
meetings allowing citizens express their concerns during both the preparation
of the environmental impact statement and the administrative review process. The
surrounding communities will also benefit from grants and assistance towards the
development of biomass energy production and market incentives for removal of
excess forest material. "Almost
750 million acres of forest stand, tall and beautiful across the 50 states. We
have a responsibility to be good stewards of our forests." Said President Bush
during the signing. "With the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, we will help to
prevent catastrophic wildfires, we'll help save lives and property, and we'll
protect our forests from sudden and needless destruction."
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Reform Legislation Signed Into Law
President George W. Bush signed the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act into law; this bill
is considered to be the most far-reaching overhaul since the program was established
over forty years ago. The new law introduces a prescription drug coverage plan,
provides greater consumer choice and flexibility and allows for more effective
health screenings. The
most significant feature of this legislation is a new prescription drug coverage
benefit. Getting Medicare to provide prescription drug coverage to seniors has
been a major legislative priority for the National Grange. As outlined in the
2002 Journal of Proceedings, "The National Grange supports legislation
to make prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs more affordable by considering
full or partial prescription coverage. We urge Congress to establish a universal,
affordable prescription drug benefit into Medicare coverage." Since the beginning
of 2003, the National Grange has produced five weekly action alerts and three
coalition ads appearing in major newspapers, such as Roll Call, a publication
with a circulation of over 50,000 readers, in addition to several coalition letters.
The
new bill will also introduce market competition in the Medicare system by allowing
private insurance companies to compete within the system. Despite this added benefit,
program participants would be prohibited from buying supplemental insurance to
cover gaps in coverage. This provision concerns many Democrats, who believe this
could force many seniors to rely on Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Despite
these concerns, this bill is endorsed by major senior citizens' organizations,
including some of the most powerful public advocacy organizations for seniors',
such as the AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons), 60-Plus
Association and the United Seniors Association.
"These
reforms are the act of a vibrant and compassionate government. We show our concern
for the dignity of our seniors by giving them quality healthcare." Said President
Bush. "We show our respect for seniors by giving them more choices and more control
over their decision making. We're putting individuals in charge of their health
care decisions. And as we move to modernize and reform other programs of this
government, we will always trust individuals and their decisions, and put personal
choice at the heart of our efforts."
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Grange Continues Efforts to Save Kelley Farm
The National Grange continues
its fight to save the Oliver H. Kelley Farm by raising $130,000 to allow it to
remain open until June 2004. So far, the Grange has donated more than $13,000
to the Minnesota Historical Society and the Friends of the Kelley Farm since May
2003. At
the National Grange's 137th Annual Convention in Burlington, VT, over $7,000 was
raised to keep the farm open. The donations were part of a fundraising effort
orchestrated by Clyde Berry, National Grange Program Resource Director, and Sherry
Harriman, National Grange Junior Grange Director. Berry and the National Grange
Kelley Farm Historical Society presented a check for $5,000 while Sherry Harriman
and the Junior Grange department presented a check for $2,104.89. "Grange
members have been donating to the Kelley Farm since 1935, and we appreciate their
continued support." Said Bob Quist, executive director of the Kelley Farm. "Oliver
Kelley was very instrumental in creating the Grange. It was his legacy, and one
of the Granges legacies will be keeping the Kelley Farm open for business." Despite
the generosity of many Grange members, the farm must raise more than $6,000 to
remain open in 2004, and $130,000 to remain open in 2005. To learn more about
Kelley Farm and what you can do to lend your support, please call 1-888-727-8386
or visit Minnesota Historical Society at www.mnhs.org.
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The
National Grange would like to wish you and your loved ones a
happy holiday
season and a prosperous New Year.
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