Dear Coalition Members, USDA Employees and Customers:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Coalition of Minority Employees (The Coalition) has been unrelenting in its effort to "eradicate many of the barriers to equality found in employment and program delivery;" since our founding in May of 1994, to attack "historical and systemic discrimination at USDA." As you read the attached list of achievements - our success is confirmed --- but our work for institutional change is incomplete.

This relentless quest for equality at USDA has resulted in a monumental shift in how customers/employees will be treated by the Department. All eyes are now focused on USDA - the Secretary aspires to make USDA the prototype Agency for civil rights. The public is watching for the slightest evidence of change in USDA's culture of discrimination, verified in the Blue Ribbon Task Force Report, U.S. Civil Rights Commission Reports, the D.J. Miller Report and the Civil Rights Action Team Report and others.

Not all changes are apparent, sometimes they are hard to detect--but they are there. In the past, people never thought twice about discriminating are now aware of its consequences. Several prominent offcials are no longer with the Department. Legislation is pending to prevent past debt write downs from being used as an excuse to deny loans to farmers. Additional funds have been budgeted for civil rights enforcement and additional staff hired to resolve the extensive complaints against the Department. It is now required that all employees and customers be treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

How did this metamorphosis occur in only a few years? The answer my friends is "The Coalition" -- the driving motivational force for change within USDA. We have garnered the support of: members of Congress, unions, employee organizations, farmers, and minority organizations outside of USDA. We are proud to announce that we have earned a seat at the table, during negotiations that impact employees/customers---Secretary Glickman has been instrumental in making this happen. The numerous activities of  "The Coalition" has created a new paradigm---one which is difficult to maintain and to duplicate.

Our alliance with Black, small, and socially disadvantaged farmers has been an asset for all of us---wanting an end to needless suffering for those impacted. Together, we have gained access to previously sacrosanct areas and have made the powerful stand up and take notice of the issues of our concern, i.e., the White House, the Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus, and our own Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture.

The Coalition pledge to you, we will continue to be the eyes, ears and conscience of USDA. We will never let down our guard or become complacent. Allow our record to speak for itself!

Sincerely,

Lawrence C. Lucas
President