(By Bill O'Leary for The Washington Post)

Contact Information
Background from The Post

During his congressional career, Dan Glickman spent nearly 20 years on the House Agriculture Committee. He became known as a key legislator on several farm bills and a key promoter of expanding agriculture trade and food safety. Both issues have been continued priorities at the Department of Agriculture. Glickman, who opposed President Clinton on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), has been instrumental in streamlining his agency and implementing reforms. The reforms have included rural empowerment and enterprise and the use of technology to improve rural economies.

Sworn in: March 30, 1995

Succeeded: Mike Espy (1993-94)

Previous occupation: U.S. congressman (D-Kan.-4), 1977-95, worked on farm bills in 1977, 1981, 1985 and 1990; President, Wichita School Board, 1973-76; partner, law firm of Sargent, Klenda and Glickman; trial attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 1969-70.

Education: University of Michigan (B.A. in history); The George Washington University School of Law

Spouse: Rhoda Yura

Children: Two children: Jon, 27, and Amy, 24

Of note: Glickman, the country's 26th secretary of Agriculture, focused primarily on agriculture issues during his tenure in Congress, but he also chaired the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. There he held open hearings to bring the intelligence community's post-Cold War activities to light and began a committee investigation into the Aldrich Ames espionage case.

Department of Agriculture
200-A Whitten Bldg.
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Washington, D.C. 20250
(202) 720-8732
FAX: (202) 720-5043
E-mail: agsec@usda.gov
http://www.usda.gov/