President’s Letter July 2008

Gentle Pressure Ruthlessly Applied

“Gentle pressure ruthlessly applied,” the simple but insightful statement by ABA Chairman Chip Klosterman, captures the essence of ABA’s activities thus far in 2008. His exhortations to the 60 plus bakers at last month’s Policy Conference in Washington summarize the importance of ABA continuing to apply pressure to policy makers to implement ABA’s Action Plan to address the commodity crisis.

ABA continues to refine its tactics, but its strategy remains focused on offering reasonable, responsible solutions that will result in long-term commodity stability. While other groups in Washington have been excoriated for their positions and tactics, ABA has been praised by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer himself for offering thoughtful proposals and coherent messages on the commodity situation. To the delight of the attendees of the Policy Conference, Sec. Schafer indicated that the Department is considering ABA’s proposals on the Conservation Reserve Program for the 2009 crop year. If this comes to pass, it will be a significant change in policy. 

The Policy Conference attendees – members of the ABA Board of Directors; the Commodity Task Force; the Energy and Environmental Health Committee; and the Food Technical Regulatory Affairs Committee – visited with more than 40 Senators and Representatives, including many repeat visits from the Band of Bakers March in March. The difference from March to June was apparent at the outset. In March many members of Congress and their staffs were educated on the commodity crisis and the impact on consumers and knew about ABA’s Action Plan. Last month, they all were interested in how to implement ABA’s proposed solutions. 

Another important take-away from the Policy Conference was the recognition by members of Congress, USDA and other officials that the baking industry was not going away – that the Band of Bakers March was not a “one and done” event. Many Policy Conference attendees heard the refrain during their visits on Capitol Hill about ABA coming back to town so quickly to follow up on the Band of Bakers March. Members of Congress also have heard from hundreds of baker constituents at home or in Washington over the past several months demanding action. 

ABA has been able to ruthlessly apply pressure to members of Congress and the Administration by utilizing its new Grassroots Action Center on the ABA Web site. To date, more than 2,200 letters have been generated by bakers all over the country. In addition, ABA unveiled at the Policy Conference its newest tool to its arsenal – the ABA Voting Record. Now any ABA member can go to the Grassroots Action Center to see how their Senators and Representatives voted on key issues to the baking industry. Several bakers were able to utilize this tool during their visits. Nothing grabs an elected official’s attention quicker than the realization that a constituent is paying attention and sharing with employees how he or she is voting in Washington.

ABA will continue to keep gentle pressure on the White House, USDA and members of Congress. ABA professional staff have been following up on the successful visits last month as well as urging USDA officials to move quickly – particularly on ABA’s CRP proposals. ABA also will continue to explore appropriate opportunities to engage the media to assist in delivering its message. ABA’s added visibility and presence, thanks to the active participation of its members, will ultimately pay dividends. The next opportunity to apply pressure as a unified voice will be the Executive Leadership Development Committee Public Policy Forum September 15 -17 in Washington, D.C. Designed to develop executive skills and expose future leaders of the baking industry to the public policy process, attendees will have the opportunity to carry the message once again to Capitol Hill. In other words, we’ll have Gentle Pressure Ruthlessly Applied!

Robb MacKie

ABA President & CEO