The Foreign Service Journal, May 2003

Airlift. Upon discharge, Garnett went to work for the American Farm Bureau Federation as a legislative liaison, promoting the idea of a program to sell surplus American commodities overseas for foreign currencies, and to use those funds for economic development projects. Garnett actually wrote his first draft of what became Public Law 480 in 1950 following a trip to India, where he collected more information in support of his concept. He later served as FAS administrator. “Food for Peace” Public Law 480, the “Food for Peace” program that nearly 50 years later remains a cornerstone of American foreign assistance, was enacted on July 10, 1954. This food aid law grants USDA a rare privilege — authority to sign agreements with foreign countries without the advice and consent of the Senate. FAS attachés were responsible for overseas implementation of the program, but a domestic group responsible for surplus disposal was formed. In the 1950s this surplus disposal group was housed in another USDA agency. Until 1961 FAS coordinated surplus disposal through a sister agency within USDA, the domestically oriented and more politicized Commodity Stabilization Service. CSS was the home of the domestic commodity program offices, as well as the surplus disposal group and the general sales manager. The GSM, invariably a political appointee, was responsible for all policy issues relating to surplus disposal, including setting prices, and approving and signing food aid agreements. At the beginning of the Kennedy admin- istration the GSM and his staff were shifted from CSS to FAS. This move irritated an important congressman, and touched off a political tug-of-war that continued for nearly two decades. Representative Jamie Whitten, D-Miss., Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s subcommittee on appropriations for 44 years (and chairman of the full House Appropriations Committee for 13 years), was known informally as the “permanent secretary of agricul- ture.” Chairman Whitten thought the GSM should have F O C U S M A Y 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 39 Spend your time the way you want . Do the same with your per diem . • Free Breakfast Buffet • Fitness Center • Laundry • Sundowner socials Your per diem goes much farther. So the next time you travel, spend some time here at Staybridge Suites . And Make It Your Place. Tysons-McLean 6845 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 Phone: 703.448.5400 Fax: 703.506.0001 Owned by McLean Hotel LLC and Operated by Grand Duke Hotel, LLC Visit Staybridge Suites