Washington, DC – Minority farmers received historic recognition today, when the House voted in favor of providing critical funding to the United States Department of Agriculture’s office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. Established in 2003, the office is a direct response to a 1994 report commissioned by the USDA that highlighted the discrimination and unfair practices against minority farmers by the USDA 

Congressman Joe Baca (CA-43), along with Representatives Bennie Thompson (MS-02), and Frank W. Ballance, Jr. (NC-1), authored the measure to seek funding for the civil rights’ office at similar levels to existing USDA offices.  

“Fixing the civil rights complaint process and properly funding minority initiatives are necessary to permanently end a history of discrimination and earn goodwill with the minority agriculture community," Baca said.  "Investing in the elimination of discrimination at the USDA will not only help save the federal government money in the long run, but it will help save employees and minority farmers the heartache and humiliation associated with discrimination.” 

“I am deeply concerned about the state of minority affairs at USDA,” Ballance said in his Floor speech. “While I applaud efforts in creating the office...I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle not to let this office become little more than window-dressing for a very serious matter.” 

Eleven class-action racial discrimination lawsuits as well as Latino and Native American farmer lawsuits are pending against the USDA. To date, $800 million in settlements have been awarded, and with more than 2000 cases backlogged in USDA files, that amount is expected to exceed $1 billion. Among key goals of the office is to help ensure new standards and practices within the USDA will eventually eliminate the need for settlements as well as significantly improve minority participation in Farm Service Agency programs. 

Assistant Secretary Vernon Parker requested $808,000 for fiscal year 2004. However, Parker’s request under the Republican-lead budget slated only $397,000; the same amount appropriated the office for the initial six months of operation. The measure approved today would increase office funding to allow for real start up as well as increased funding to 2501 farming programs and outreach to minority farmers. “Today’s action is yet another small step in our long journey to remedy discrimination at USDA,” Thompson said. 

In addition, the legislation also would authorize Hispanic Serving Institutions – educational institutions with a Latino population of 25 percent or greater – at higher levels than the FY04 appropriation.