Racial Justice for Leidesdorff Ranch and Black Farmers in the 2007 Farm Bill

California Black Farmers and Ranchers continue the ongoing battle for the opportunity for equal justice, during Black History Month 2008 we will speak directly with local, state and federal leadership in a responsible manner to continue our legacy of fully engaged black civic participation toward positive change.

Many in the #1 Agricultural region in the United States continue to embrace exclusionary practice and procedures in the meaning of “California Grown.” Past, present and future contributions by people of African ancestry continue to be denied throughout the State of California and the implementation of local, state and federal Ag policy will be reflected in the 2007 U.S. Census of Agriculture.

Here in Sacramento County, California there is very little desire to change the dishonor and disrespect for the significant contribution of Black Agriculture to our region, state, nation and world. Historical preservation and replication of the positive contributions of Honorable William Alexander Leidesdorff, Jr. Afro-Caribbean and Danish-Jewish, “Founding Father of California” is simply unacceptable to showcase for some in leadership positions.

Why is a man, Jeddiah Smith, who camped a few days in the region honored where a man, William Leidesdorff whose accomplishments far surpass anyone in the region is discounted, at the dawn of the the 21st century.

Our nation’s ugliest racial epithet is embraced within Sacramento County and remains a salient reminder to another generation of citizens the original apartheid, intolerance and legal definition of specific exclusion of Black residents along the Rancho Rio De Los Americanos, the Ranch of the American River, during the transition from Mexico to United States of America.

As we celebrate the 160th signing of the Peace Treaty Guadalupe Hidalgo, honoring those on both sides of the battle over slavery in Alta California, Mexican Territory. One day we can tell the entire story inclusive of the African contributions on both sides of the ongoing battle for basic humanity (1840 - 1865.)

Together, we can form a more perfect union, by learning from the lessons of the past that systemic institutional racial discrimination must be challenged and defeated. An ostrich mentality that hides it's head form current reality is on full display in Sacramento County, California, USA.

Local, state and national leadership is be asked to weigh in our local aspect of a national issue, positive support for equal opportunity for Black Farmers and Ranchers.

(Attached Letter From Congressional Black Caucus)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Artur Davis (D-AL), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), G. K. Butterfield (D-NC), Jim Clyburn (D-SC), and Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA) today sent the following letter to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees' Chairmen and Ranking Members, requesting that they include the Pigford settlement provisions in Farm Bill Conference Report.

Dear Chairmen and Ranking Members:

We write as supporters of a recent Congressional Black Caucus letter listing the CBC's priorities for the upcoming conference agreement on H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act.

However, as you work to finalize the conference report to H.R. 2419, we want to indicate our particular support for the provisions included by both the House and the Senate versions ensuring that farmers who were denied review of their claims under the Pigford case can obtain a court determination on the merits of their cases.

As you know, in 1999, the USDA settled a class action lawsuit with African American farmers, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved the settlement, which allowed black farmers to file claims against the USDA for failing to respond to racial discrimination complaints between 1983 and 1997. Thousands of claims were denied for various reasons, but due to a lack of notice, a large percentage of filers were denied review based on late filings.

These provisions will provide Pigford claimants who were denied a review on the merits with a fair review of their claims; require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide petitioners with information regarding USDA loan data, which was too often denied in the Pigford claims process; and protect Pigford claimants from foreclosure on loans during the claims process.

We have worked in the House and Senate to secure these important provisions and appreciate your support for including this provision in your respective chamber's version of the farm bill. We urge that the provisions be included in the final conference report. We know you agree that the Pigford settlement was an important first step in righting nearly two decades of discrimination by the USDA - - and that this provision will continue that work.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama Artur Davis Bennie G. Thompson
U.S. Senator U.S. Representative U.S. Representative

G. K. Butterfield Jim Clyburn Robert C. “Bobby Scott
U.S. Representative U.S. Representative U.S. Representative