William Helms: “Today I offer a private bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to right a wrong committed against a dedicated…”

“Today I offer a private bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to right a wrong committed against a dedicated public servant. Clarence P. Stewart of Lillington, NC, served 23 years with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service [ASCS] at the Department of Agriculture. In April 1981, Mr. Stewart was North Carolina State Executive Director when, during the transition to a new administration, the ASCS decided to remove all State Executive Directors as part of an what the Department described as a reduction-in-force [RIF]. Mr. Stewart considered appealing the ASCS decision but was told by his superior at the ASCS not to bother, that he had no right to appeal the dismissal action. Unfortunately, Mr. Stewart accepted this information at face value and did not appeal the ASCS decision. Mr. President, years later, Mr. Stewart learned that, as a veteran, he did in fact have a right to appeal his dismissal from the ASCS.”