Dear Editor,

My congressman, Sanford Bishop, is undermining Fort Valley State University. He is so immersed in Washington, DC that he does not even realize what he is doing.

In August, US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a strategic move to decentralize the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and relocate the scientists closer to the farmers and producers they serve.

Bishop, as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, joined his fellow Democrats expressing “concern” and “worry.” He even posted a letter to Secretary Perdue on his website undermining the move.

In his letter, my congressman failed to mention that Perdue’s plan specifically noted the connection with land grant universities. Aside from the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University (FVSU) is the only other land-grant university in Georgia.  It is in the heart of Sanford Bishop’s District.

Instead of undermining the plan, Bishop should be meeting with his fellow Georgian, Secretary Perdue, and bring along the President Paul Jones of FVSU, area farmers, economic development, and other leaders from the community. He should be showing how Fort Valley State University can accomplish whatever the mission need is for ERS and NIFA.

In short, my congressman should be the loudest cheerleader for Perdue’s plan and strike while the iron is hot. Instead, he is more interested in supporting the bloated bureaucracy in Washington. Southwest Georgia needs an advocate. Sanford Bishop is out of touch.

 

Sincerely,

 

Don Cole

Cordele, Ga.