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News Release 2-27-2002

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POULTRY ASSOCIATION PAYS TRIBUTE TO COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, GUS R. DOUGLASS

The West Virginia Poultry Association (WVPA) hosted a dinner for Commissioner of Agriculture Gus Douglass, honoring his years of service to the industry and the state Monday, February 25, at the Charleston Embassy Suites Hotel.

Heading the list of dignitaries in attendance was Bobby Acord, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS). With a staff of 7,000, Acord’s agency is charged with protecting America’s farms from foreign animal diseases and agricultural pests.

Acord praised Commissioner Douglass for creating an “agriculture-friendly environment” in West Virginia, and he recounted many of the Commissioner’s achievements and the posts he has held throughout the years, including terms as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA), and two terms as president of the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA). “What is missing from his bio is his compassion for agriculture,” said Acord. “He is an elected official, but when it comes to agriculture, he’s bipartisan.”

Commissioner Douglass also chaired the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on International Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases, representing the state departments of agriculture throughout the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Great Britain and in the months following the September 11 attacks.

At the beginning of this year, Douglass believed he had served the maximum three terms allowed on the Committee. However, Acord said, that did not sit well with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman. “We need Gus Douglass’ leadership on that committee,” Acord said she told him. Commissioner Douglass is now serving an unprecedented fourth term.

Following Acord, WVPA President Dennis Funk presented Commissioner Douglass with a plaque in appreciation of his service to the state and his assistance to the poultry industry.

“Certainly Gus Douglass did not get here by himself,” said the Commissioner after receiving the plaque. He praised his family, his staff and the legislators and other constitutional officers he has served with during his four decades in government. He also thanked Pilgrim’s Pride for recognizing the potential of West Virginia’s workforce by recently shifting some of its production to its Moorefield facility.

“The poultry industry is our largest agricultural sector and close to the largest employer in the state. I’m happy to see the growth it has experienced over the years,” said Commissioner Douglass.

He made special note of former Governor Cecil Underwood in the audience, along with State Treasurer John Perdue and Secretary of State Joe Manchin. Also attending were state FFA President Nathan Taylor, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, and 2001 Poultry Festival Queen Julia Burton, who gave the blessing. The Commissioner’s longtime friend and campaign manager Jack Canfield was master of ceremonies for the evening.

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