Recognizing Those Who Have
Furthered the Cause of Conservation

Remarks by Bruce I. Knight, Chief
Natural Resources Conservation Service
at the NRCS Honors Awards Ceremony
Washington, DC

July 8, 2002

I am pleased and honored to be here with you today, as we take time to recognize so many who have done so much to further the cause of conservation on America’s private lands.

We are all here today because conservation is important to us. Today, we have the added benefit of knowing that conservation is growing in importance among the public, the agricultural community, the administration, and the Congress. The new farm bill is an indication of how important conservation has come to be in the United States. Congress has passed, and the president signed a bill that makes an unprecedented investment in conservation on America’s working lands. As you all return to your home cities and states, you take with you the knowledge that you will have more resources at your disposal than ever before as a result of the farm bill.

Your strong commitment to conservation is part of a long tradition, one that began over 100 years ago.

One of the central figures in the history of conservation was President Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy Roosevelt has always been one of my heroes, partly because he was such a champion of conservation, and partly because he spent some formative time in the Dakotas, where I grew up and received my conservation education.

At a particularly difficult time in his life – after he had just lost both his wife and his mother – Roosevelt bought a ranch in North Dakota and began his education on the relationship between people and the land. Over time, he developed the beliefs that made him – like our award recipients today – a champion of conservation. I would like to share a couple of Roosevelt quotes with you.

When he was ranching in the Dakotas, Roosevelt said, “It is not what we have that will make us a great nation; it is the way in which we use it.” As his life progressed he continued to believe in and work for conservation. When he was contemplating his “Bull Moose” run for the presidency, he said, “There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.”

If Roosevelt were here today, I’m sure he would think that the contributions of all of the award recipients here today are, “Bully.”

We are recognizing three groups of people today.

First, we are here to present this year’s NRCS National Civil Rights and NRCS Chief’s Workforce Diversity Awards. You have made important contributions that make it possible or us to deliver our programs to all parts of the agricultural community, including traditionally underserved groups, such as American Indian tribes. And, you have improved our ability to attract volunteers and train and recruit employees who reflect the diversity of our great country. Congratulations on these accomplishments.

Second, we are here to present a new award – the 1st Annual NRCS Excellence in Conservation Award. NRCS created this award earlier this year to recognize the valuable contributions of those outside of government who work so hard to conserve natural resources on private lands.

NRCS employees work hard for conservation, but we know it takes much more than our hard work to make conservation happen. Conservation gets done because of the commitment of hundreds of thousands of landowners, board and committee members and officers, and others outside of government.

Starting this year, we have a way to honor the contributions of these nongovernmental individuals and groups.

And last, but certainly not least, we are here to honor the recipients of this year’s USDA Honor awards, the Department’s highest and most prestigious award. You have done great things to help rural residents, communities, and businesses prosper, to maintain and enhance our natural resources and environment, and to help NRCS operate more efficiently, effectively, and in a discrimination-free environment. In addition, some of you have been outstanding in situations that require heroism or response to emergencies.

This morning’s event is a way of honoring you within the NRCS family before you go over to the Reagan Building to receive the Secretary’s congratulations. Congratulations to all of you. I am proud of your accomplishments.

Let me say again, how pleased and honored I am to be here today for this ceremony.