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MAY 31, 2001

The Congressional Black Caucus is asking the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee to investigate more thoroughly remarks made by Thomas Dorr, President Bush's pick as Undersecretary of the US Department of Agriculture.

In 1999, Dorr made a speech in which he referred to the economic success of three counties in Iowa. He said the counties have been diverse in economic growth but non-diverse in ethnic and religious background and "there's something there that obviously has enabled them to succeed and to succeed very well."

It is unclear at this time whether Dorr, an Iowa farmer, tied the success to the counties' economic diversity or their lack of ethnic and religious diversity. Dorr is not conducting interviews and the White House says the remarks have been taken out of context.

The USDA has been criticized for its relationship with minority farmers and employees. African-American farmers settled a $375 million discrimination lawsuit in 1999.

American Indian farmers have a simliar lawsuit pending, seeking up to $19 billion.

Get the Story:
Nominee's Remarks on Diversity Questioned (The Washington Post 5/31)

Relevant Links:
Farmers Lawyer - http://www.farmerslawyer.com
Senate Committee Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - http://www.senate.gov/~agriculture
US Department of Agriculture - http://www.usda.gov

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