[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF PEARLIE S. REED

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I pay tribute to an outstanding civic leader 
and public servant, Pearlie S. Reed. Mr. Reed passed away on Friday, 
April 8, 2016. A funeral service was held on Friday, April 15, 2016 
11:00 a.m. at Old St. Paul Baptist Church in West Memphis, Arkansas.
  Mr. Reed was born in Heth, Arkansas and attended the University of 
Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 
Animal Husbandry in 1970. He later earned a master's degree in Public 
Administration-Finance from American University in Washington, DC, in 
1980.
  Mr. Reed began his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) Soil Conservation Service while he was still a college student 
in 1968. In the years that followed, Mr. Reed rose steadily in the Soil 
Conservation Service from a soil conservationist, to deputy state 
conservationist, to State Conservationist for Maryland from 1985-1989 
and State Conservationist for California from 1989-1993. Mr. Reed then 
served as Associate Chief after the Soil Conservation Service was 
renamed the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In this 
capacity, he spearheaded the most comprehensive reorganization of the 
agency in its 60-year history. He also initiated the American Indian 
outreach effort for NRCS to work directly with tribes and provided 
leadership in the development and implementation of the Conservation 
Title of the 1996 Farm Bill.
  In 1997, Mr. Reed served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Agriculture 
for Administration before he was promoted to Chief of NRCS in 1998, a 
position he held until 2002 when he was named Regional Conservationist 
for the Western United States.
  In 1996, then-Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman appointed Mr. 
Reed to lead the Secretary's Civil Rights Action Team to develop 
recommendations to advance civil rights within USDA. The Team made 92 
recommendations and President Bill Clinton issued an order that all 
recommendations be implemented. As Mr. Reed stated, ``the work of the 
Civil Rights Action Team is recognized as having set direction for 
civil rights policy at USDA to ensure that every employee treats every 
customer and co-worker fairly and equitably, with dignity and 
respect.''
  Although Mr. Reed retired from USDA in 2003, his strong and effective 
leadership was widely noted, and he was nominated by President Barack 
Obama to serve as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture in May 2009. Mr. 
Reed also served as a leader of several USDA-wide initiatives, such as 
the chair of the USDA/1990 Task Force, chair of the USDA Agricultural 
Air Quality Task Force, and chair of the USDA National Food and 
Agriculture Council. His service included international conservation 
experience and his contributions in South Africa, Australia, and the 
International Soil Conservation Organization demonstrate the breadth of 
his influence.
  For nearly four decades, Pearlie Reed was a familiar face at USDA and 
a driving force for progress within the Department. He acted as a voice 
for disadvantaged and minority farmers and worked tirelessly to 
advocate for the conservation of our nation's precious resources. Over 
the course of his career, Mr. Reed received numerous awards and 
commendations, including the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award for 
strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to public 
service; the George Washington Carver Public Service Hall of Fame 
Award; and the USDA Secretary's Honor Award for equal opportunity and 
civil rights; among others.
  On a personal note, I had the privilege of working closely with 
Pearlie during my time on the House Agriculture Committee and through 
my ongoing service on the Agriculture Subcommittee of the House 
Appropriations Committee. I have truly been blessed by his friendship, 
counsel and inspiration throughout the years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting Pearlie 
S. Reed for his outstanding public service and his influence on 
progress at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We extend our deepest 
condolences to Mr. Reed's family and friends during this difficult time 
and we pray they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and 
the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

                          ____________________