[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22960]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE RETIREMENT OF DR. RON DeHAVEN, ADMINISTRATOR, USDA ANIMAL AND 
                    PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, as Administrator of the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, and throughout his career, Dr. 
W. Ron DeHaven has worked tirelessly to protect animal and plant health 
in the United States and advance the veterinary medical profession.
  His accomplishments are numerous. In 2002-2003, Dr. DeHaven led a 
campaign to successfully contain and eradicate an outbreak of exotic 
Newcastle disease in the southwest in one-third the time and half the 
cost of the response to the prior outbreak in 1971.
  He was the public face of the Nation's response to BSE--first with 
the Canadian detection in May 2003, and then the U.S. discovery of the 
disease later that year. Dr. DeHaven led the U.S. efforts to address 
domestic and international concerns as he headed the epidemiological 
investigation, and he appeared on television almost daily. His steady 
leadership and forthright communication during the crisis ensured that 
the public was constantly kept informed, and, as a result, consumer 
confidence in U.S. beef did not waiver.
  Dr. DeHaven was at the helm in 2004 when USDA successfully controlled 
an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Texas. This set the 
stage for his work with international animal health officials to 
address the currently circulating strain of Asian H5Nl highly 
pathogenic avian influenza. He has spread the important message that we 
need to respond to this potential human health threat while the virus 
remains primarily a disease of poultry. Dr. DeHaven has also been a 
strong advocate for increasing veterinary infrastructure in developing 
nations to prevent the emergence of zoonotics--diseases that can pass 
from animals to humans--that increasingly jeopardize public health.
  Dr. DeHaven has forged improved relationships between veterinary 
professionals, the agricultural community, and wildlife biologists to 
address diseases that affect both wildlife and livestock. One tangible 
product of this cooperation is the ongoing surveillance of wild birds 
for H5Nl highly pathogenic avian influenza that is being conducted by a 
combination of wildlife and veterinary professionals.
  In other important areas, under Dr. DeHaven's leadership as 
Administrator over the past 3 years, APHIS has strengthened its 
regulation of agricultural products derived from biotechnology to 
ensure that they are safe for release into the environment. The strong, 
science-based regulatory system forged under Dr. DeHaven's management 
is helping to ensure that U.S. producers and trading partners are 
confident in the safety of these products.
  Dr. DeHaven is also reknowned for his commitment to animal welfare. 
He served as Deputy Administrator of APHIS's Animal Care program for 5 
years, ensuring that millions of animals regulated under the Animal 
Welfare Act are provided adequate care under the law. Dr. DeHaven also 
implemented an innovative risk- based inspection system for the Animal 
Care program, targeting investigative and enforcement resources on bad 
actors.
  Throughout his career, Dr. DeHaven has exhibited creativity and 
commitment to ensuring animal welfare and promoting U.S. agriculture. 
This Congress and this Nation is grateful.

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