Release No. 0340.00
Contact: Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
USDA INDUCTS FOUR MEMBERS INTO A NEWLY ESTABLISHED HALL OF HEROES
Washington, Sept. 27, 2000 - Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today inducted four champions of American agriculture in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's newly established Hall of Heroes. The four honorees are long-time leader in children's food and nutrition legislation former U.S. Senator Robert Dole, the international symbol for forest fire prevention Smokey Bear, world renowned agricultural chemist George Washington Carver, and eminent soil scientist Hugh Hammond Bennett.
"The USDA Hall of Heroes will be a living, permanent tribute to the contributions of distinguished pioneers of agriculture, past and present," said Glickman. "Today's charter inductees will be joined by other honorees in future years. All will be honored by plaques in the entry hall of USDA's Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building."
The following vignettes and notable quotes are etched on a plaque for each honoree:
Senator Robert Dole - National Leader of Nutrition and Farming Programs
"Senator Robert Dole improved the lives of millions of American children and families through the creation of the federal nutrition safety net. His bipartisan work resulted in landmark legislation creating the National School Lunch, WIC and TEFAP programs, which provide vital nutrition assistance to those most at risk. His work helped give those most in need a better chance at dignity and success. Senator Dole now actively supports global school meals and education initiatives that will give children in developing countries a better chance at a healthy life. Senator Dole was an important link between America's farmers and improved nutrition around the world."
Notable quote: "What greater right is there than the right to eat."
Smokey Bear - America's Fire Prevention Bear (1944 - present)
"Smokey Bear lives in our hearts as the beloved guardian of the nation's forests. No other character has influenced the behavior of so many Americans. Two Forest Service artists, Rudolph Wendelin and Harry Rossoll, are largely responsible for Smokey Bear's look and character. Wendelin directed the many artists who drew Smokey, including Rossoll, one of the main artists. Their commitment to Smokey Bear, whose campaign has taught generations of children that preventing forest fires is each individual's responsibility, has helped save thousands of acres of our nation's forests. Smokey Bear will always be a revered "citizen" in our American heritage."
Notable quote: "Remember, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires."
George Washington Carver - Father of Chemurgy (1861 - 1943)
"World renowned for his scientific achievements, George Washington Carver was an educator, scientist, teacher, and agriculturist. He specialized in developing industrial applications from farm products (chemurgy). For many years, he served as the director of agriculture at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and as a collaborator with USDA. Carver's most honored achievements in creative scientific research led to improved health and living conditions for the southern farmer. Among his many accomplishments were outreach efforts using the Jesup Wagon. George Washington Carver was, and remains, an inspiration to others."
Notable quote: "It's simply service that measures success."
Hugh Hammond Bennett - Father of Soil Conservation (1881 - 1960)
"Hugh Hammond Bennett combined science, passion, and political astuteness to make soil conservation a national priority and spark a worldwide conservation movement. In 1903, after graduation from the University of North Carolina, Bennett joined USDA's Bureau of Soils, where he soon determined that soil erosion was the biggest threat facing the American farmer. He became a tireless crusader for soil conservation, triggering the establishment of the Soil Erosion Service in 1933 and the passage of the act of April 27, 1935, creating the Soil Conservation Service in USDA. Bennett led the organization until 1951."
Notable quote: "Out of the long list of nature's gifts to man, none is perhaps so utterly essential to human life as soil."
Note: The Hall of Heroes website is available at http://www.usda.gov/da/hallofheroes
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