Diary for D.C. Trip
Tuesday, April 8, 2003
Up bright and early (3:30) to get dressed and head for the airport. We had a very uneventful, on time, air schedule and the Chicago airport was even a pleasant experience. We arrived in Baltimore on time and caught a cab for the Holiday Inn, On the Hill, New Jersey St, Washington, D.C. A tiny room, we could barely move around and not enough space to store all of our clothes. We had to be careful not to all be up at once, but it's ok and clean. We had dinner with Rob and Margaret and Noelle joined us in the middle. Off to the room, catch up on the Iraq war news and to bed.
Wednesday, April 9, 2003
Up early again if you consider the time zone change. We met in the hotel lobby for a briefing of where we were going and other information. We had breakfast in the hotel with Jerry Maltby and Don Salacci and headed out for Rayburn building of the House of Representatives. It was raining and windy. We were Team 4 and consisted of Mark, Ryan and I plus Don and Noelle. Our first meeting was with Jane Harman's legislative director, David Flanders. Rep Harman is from Southern California and Flanders was very ignorant of the livestock industry. He didn't know the difference of beef and dairy let alone the beef industry. I don't think he was very impressed with COOL or estate tax issues but he seemed smart enough about other stuff. We next met with Buck McKeon's aide, Jim Jeffries. He was more sympathetic to our causes but still not the real thing. Buck is a Republican and I think will support our lobbying issues. We had some time, so wandered over to the Cannon building and found Doug Ose's office. Mark went in to see if we could say hello and Doug invited us for a short visit. There was a large group from Northern Power waiting so we had to leave quickly but pleased that he gave us a minute. He supports us totally and is a member of the Ag Policy committee. Next was lunch at a Thai/Italian place. Don was a good sport as had never heard of most of the food on the menu but it was a good walk and out of the rain and we enjoyed the time. We returned to the Cannon building and back across to the Rayburn building to visit with Meredith Curcio, legislative assistant to Dana Rohrabacher, who has surfing boards all over his office. She said he supports the estate tax and didn't know much beside that. Ryan and I left Mark, Noelle, and Don at the Rep building and went back to the hotel to get Ryan's hair cut. This was quite an experience as the bellman at our hotel said to go across the street to the Hyatt and that barber shop was closed and that bellman sent us up the street and we wandered around and couldn't find anything. We headed back to our hotel and asked a cab driver to take us to a barber shop and he took us to Union Station where the information lady said there was none there but up the street. So we walked to a cute shop and got Ry's hair cut and walked back to the hotel. Mark got back and we changed for a cocktail party at the Senate building for NCBA Pac party and then to dinner at Sam and Harry's Steak House. It was a good group with John and Cathy Maas, Chandler and Tandy, Mike Bryne and his son, Matt. Marden and Kendra treated!!
Thursday, April 10, 2003
Mark got up early for a briefing breakfast and I got up in time to do the sign ups for the USDA meetings on Friday. I got Ryan and we headed over to the Cannon and Rayburn Rep buildings and met up with Mark and Don at Mike Honda's office, got a snack and to Elton Gallegly office and met Rob and Margaret Frost and Nita Vale as Gallegly is Rob's congressman. We had lunch in the huge cafeteria at the Rayburn building and then to Duke Cunningham's office. We met with an aide and wandered back to Matsui's office. He does not support much of what we do but left all the stuff and were on our way back and noticed the bear rug hanging in the office of Don Young the Alaskan representative, and told his aide that we supported drilling in Alaska. He said that Don was speaking on behalf of the energy bill in the House and gave us Gallery passes. We walked to the Capitol and went through the security hurdles and watched the hearing in the House of Representatives for awhile. Back to the hotel and changed for the beef product tasting at the Cannon building and then to the Pombo fundraising dinner at the Capital Grille.
The beef product reception included many staffers and a few congress people and all of the spring conference contingency and staff. It was in the Cannon building and, as always, we had to get through security. We left early for the Capital Grille and had about 30 to 35 people including John and Cathy Maas, Marden and Kendra Wilbur, Chandler, Tandy, Eric Davis, Jan Lyons, Lynn Cornwell, along with some guys from Arkansas and Alabama. It was a good group. We didn't get to visit much with Congressman Richard Pombo, but Steve Ding, his chief aide, sat with us until they had to leave for a House vote on the energy bill. We left for the hotel and bed.
Friday, April 11th
We slept in this morning and missed the briefing for the day of agency visits. I had signed up for the APHSIS meeting and for the FAS. I went to the NCBA DC office with John Maas, visited with John Braly about his cows at our place and attended most of this meeting. Bobby Acord presided over this meeting and he covered many bases such as Animal ID, TB, FMD, and Homeland Security. What I took most from the meeting was (regardless of COOL) that mandatory animal ID was in the immediate future. This is for security and safety. Dr. Valerie Reagan is the Assistant Deputy Administrator of Veterinary Services and she did most of the report to us regarding biosecurity. The goal is to be able to trace back an animal within 48 hours if there is a diseased animal. There are also many emergency facilities in the making and much cooperation with other agencies, such as FEMA. He said that "nine eleven" and the war with Iraq has helped these agencies realize some of the necessary steps that need to be taken in case of emergencies such as FMD and BSE. I left this meeting early with Ben Higgins for the USDA office and Foreign Agricultural Service Agency. I was early and waited in the lobby with Michelle of the NCBA. We had to surmount the security again and this time had the SS # and be cleared in advance. We were escorted by staff to the FAS meeting room. It was not that well attended but had three excellent staff people including Howard Wetzel, Todd Drennan, Barbara Wolff and Jeffrey Jones. This discussion was of world trade and the director had attended a WTO meeting in Uruguay. Free trade is a big issue and some countries believe in this as well but many do not. Primary problem is that ag interests are pitted against high tech and other efforts. Another example Howard gave us is that a country such as Australia can deliver fresh meat to countries like Japan because their air freight costs are low. They promise to keep a close eye on fair trade for livestock. Mark and Ry went to the Packers and Stockers meeting and we met back at the hotel for a late lunch.
We changed for the reception at the NCBA office, we got there on time and many of those attending the spring conference were there. We stayed late as were the dinner guests of Chandler. Marden and Kendra Wilbur and Chandler's girlfriend, Laura, joined us and we went to "DC Coast." It was a very nice restaurant and I had mussels, Ry (as usual) ordered a steak. We had a fun, though long evening, and talked about colleges and politics. We went back to the hotel and to bed. Tomorrow is the horse races.
Saturday, April 12th
We really slept in this morning. I think it all caught up with us with the three hour time change (plus a recent daylight savings time change). We got ready for the horse races which are steeple chase races in a beautiful and scenic area about 90 minutes from our hotel, in Maryland. They are called "My Lady of the Manor" and seemed to be a very well attended local event. Everyone had a good time and the DC NCBA staff outdid themselves with hospitality. We got to travel with Chandler and enjoyed his commentary and long history of his family dating to 1649. He is a distant cousin of the Lawrason Sayre family (they were also at the races). We had lunch and watched some of the team timed jumping events and headed back to DC. Tandy drove us and we chatted all the way back to town taking a side trip around Chevy Chase and other sights. We gathered up Darrel and Karen Sweet, Marden and Kendra Wilbur and Kathy DeForrest along with Chandler and Tandy and went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant that was close by. The Sweets, Kathy and I walked up to the White House after dinner and around that part of town plus bought Ryan a copy of "Seabiscuit" to read on the way home. Back to the hotel and catch up on the war news. Tomorrow morning I hope we get up early and see the National Cathedral and the VP residence before we head to Annapolis and the Navy Academy.
Sunday, April 13th
Well, we didn't get up early. We slept until the last minute in order to still get a bite to eat and be ready for the trip. We met with Tandy and Chandler and took two cars as Chandler wanted to stay at his river house so the guys went in his car and Tandy and I in hers. We drove to Annapolis and parked in the town and started our hike up the street. First main stop was the Capitol and all the history, especially the room where George Washington gave up his commission for the independence of the United States. It was remarkable. It was filled with history and a great tour. We walked across to St. John's College where the "great books" are studied. We walked and walked but the goal was the Naval Academy and we saw most of it, including the cathedral, the boats, the student residences and the officers homes. It was beautiful. We had lunch at McCarvey's and then on a short boat cruise of the Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay. Tandy brought us home and we stretched out, saw the end of the Blazers/Lakers game. Then we rousted around and took a cab to see the White House and over to the Lincoln Memorial. It was beautiful at night and we had dinner at Bistro Bis at Hotel George across the street from the hotel. Back to the hotel and watched some TV and to bed.
Monday, April 14th
Today we took a cab to the National Cathedral and toured through the chapels and to the 7th floor for observation of the city. It is truly the most beautiful church I have ever been in. It was built by Episcopalians but is a non denominational church. We walked up the street and had lunch at Café Delux and met Chandler and Tandy and headed for Whitestone. Mark Duffel was at a meeting but met Denise and Scott and he showed us around. It is a beautiful farm on rolling hills. Very impressive. We then went to Chandler's dad's house just around the corner and met Gordy and his wife, Robin. They live in a very historical lovely rock home and raise cattle and Thoroughbreds. We came back into the city and had dinner on the Potomac River at a restaurant called Sequoia. We said our thank yous and good byes and went to the room to pack (ugh!).
The whole trip was a real learning experience. The diversity of each day kept us on our toes. To witness, first hand, the legislative workings of the nation's capital is something everyone should do. We were proud to represent the beef cattle industry and hope to have made a difference in issues that are important to our livelihood. In addition, we were so lucky to see, up close and personal, some of the historical sights of the area and we will never forget this week.
Japanese Ad Campaign Photo Shoot
On Wednesday, February 27, 2002, Bruce Bervin (California Beef Council) called Mark. He asked if it would be possible for Lynn Heinz, VP of Public Relations with the United States Meat Export Federation, (based in Denver, CO) and a group of Japanese public relations representatives to come to our ranch and do some filming on Saturday, March 2. I was in St. Joseph, MO, at the board meeting and called Lynn Heinz the following evening to tell him that we would be happy to help in whatever way we could. He explained that the project involved telling a story to the Japanese consumer and provider that American beef is safe. This is an extremely important message due to the recent BSE scare that Japan has experienced. It was one of those “meant to be(s)”.
From St. Joseph, I called Debbie Braly and asked if she could make a run to the grocery store and get some sandwich stuff and cookies or brownies. I knew from my conversation with Lynn that the group would be getting on a flight out of Kansas City that morning and didn’t know if they would be eating before arriving at the ranch. It’s an old tradition of ranch kitchens to have food available for guests!
After returning from the Board Meetings Ryan and I went to a Jackpot show. On Saturday morning, Ryan and I returned from the Jackpot show around 2:00. He had shown two of his heifers and a bull. The group arrived in a bus as we were unloading the cattle. The weather was beautiful with lots of sun and 68 degrees and it remained that way for the three days of filming.
The $8 million campaign includes TV, radio and newspaper advertising. Before the group came to our house they had been to two other locations, including a lab in Texas and in Kansas City.
The crews were very focused and went right to work. They definitely had a plan. Ryan loaded his pickup with the still camera crew (of 6). They took many photographs around the ranch. The film crew (about 12) settled on a spot in the back of the ranch which has a pond and winter green feed and took some film of me on the horse, riding through the cows. Then the film crew, Rebecca Sayre and Brian Coleman took their bus to the winter ranch (about 20 minutes away) to check some possibilities for filming there.
Two of the Japanese PR girls (I called Coco and Bunny), Lynn, the producer and I went to the house for questions and a to tell my story regarding the cattle business. It seemed to be what they wanted and they were very excited about me being the fourth generation in the cattle business, our kid’s involvement and the grandchildren. We interviewed until 9:30. They wanted to see my “cowboy” clothes and six of us were crammed in my closet to find the right stuff. They decided on two outfits. One was a green plaid flannel shirt, jeans, brown boots, an old belt and a denim jacket. The second was a light blue shirt with snaps, jeans, and black boots. They were particular about jewelry and they were adamant about having a pair of leather work gloves and a cowboy hat.
Mark had been in Bakersfield for the day and got home late that night.
At a break, I gave them the Angus hats, pins, booklets, and pens plus some Certified Angus Beef LLC pins that I had. Thanks to John Crouch for the gifts. They were a hit!
We started at 5:00 on Sunday morning. John Braly (Executive Vice President of the California Cattlemen’s Association) and his son, Sean, came over with horses. Sean chauffeured the still crew around for more location sights. They wanted pictures of us saddling our horses and working the cattle. We saddled and saddled (we did everything many times), unsaddled, and walked while leading the horses. We led the horses down the road, etc. They also wanted film of me feeding hay to one of the herd bulls and giving him a pat on the head. We went to the pasture where the pond is and drove the cows (30 pair with bull calves) around the water. The cows cooperated for three times around the pond and then wanted their hay. They wanted to see them scattered out and to film them with lots of acreage to roam in. It was a big deal for me to wear a cowboy hat—I had to borrow Ryan’s. For some of the still pictures they wanted me to wear a cap. I tried to wear my CAB hat, but Lynn said I shouldn’t. I wore my “Your Beef’s At Stake” cap. It was a program that our CBCIA sponsored and is a variation of Texas A&M’s Beef 706 program. After driving the cattle around the pond, they filmed me talking about how our cattle are cared for and that they are a safe and quality product. We did a good job of conveying that message and it was what they wanted to hear.
The kids, (Ryan, Sean, Rebecca and Brian) worked with the show heifers. They rinsed them and did a showmanship demonstration. Then they did film of Ryan driving the feed truck fast down the lane. He liked that part and creating dust (which he gets in trouble for otherwise). They had Ryan leading a bull out of the barn (from dark to light) and of Sean and Ryan cleaning out the trailer with the pressure hose. Next was Mark and John “hay lifting”. John would toss the hay to the ground and Mark would pick it up.
We broke for lunch. Rebecca’s mom, Pamela Fisher, was among our group and she started getting the sandwich stuff ready for lunch. We had CAB® roast beef and quickly realized that we did not have enough food. . She ran to our small country market for whatever they might have to make sandwiches along with chips and cookies.
We went back for more still photos, I guess because the light was right. This time it was with the donor cows (fat ones) in another pasture with a pond. They wanted them to turn around. John asked Mark if Mark spoke cow language. However, the cows did a pretty good job of cooperating and you could tell that “Aka” was happy with what he got. It was sort of embarrassing to have so many people looking at me—especially in a hat which I never wear—looking stern, strong, confident and many other expressions that they wanted. We went back to the house for film of Ryan and Mark driving to the house and me waving at them from the fence. This was at sunset and of me in the back of the truck watching the cattle at sunset moving at 20 mph. After some more interview questions they left.
We started again at 5:00 the next morning. This time they wanted still pictures of the show heifers in the immediate background and of me close to the camera. (This is the film shot that has been the first release of advertising in the Tokyo newspapers—along with the other two women in separate photos.) Then we went to the fence for another filming of me talking about the care of the cattle. We next went inside the house and began the work for a family meal. There is film of preparing the meat and vegetables for a stew, of the cooking of the stew with carrots, broccoli, brussel sprouts, onions, and potatoes. I was impressed at their camera and color of the food. They said the camera cost around $250,000! Matt and Michelle Macfarlane (Matt is the publisher of the California Cattlemen’s Magazine and Michelle works for the Rangeland Trust), our own John Dickinson and his “wife for the day”, Stephanie Davis (a former CAB intern), were the lunch group. We served the “Angus” stew and were filmed eating and talking about cattle and basketball. They did some more filming at the stove to get the right steam coming from the stew.
Then they went to the hallway with all the family pictures. They said that I will cry when I see how they have compiled the family story—I think they liked Ryan’s role with the cattle and being a basketball player/high school athlete. They said that the interviews and all the filming and photos will be used for TV, newspaper advertising, and a video and that we will get copies of everything.
At 5:00 they left in the bus for the airport. It was quite an experience and I hope that it sends the message that USMEF wants made. According to John Braly, Japan accounts for 50% of our exports and 6% of US beef harvested. The Japanese want to convey the message that American beef is safe, that the cattle are kept in wide open pastures and that the meat the Americans eat is the same as what is exported. Though I am tired this morning, I hope that the small part we were able to play in this can make a difference.
Featured in Wall Street Journal
An article about the U.S. Meat Export Federation's Japenese Advertising campaign was featured in the April 11, 2002, Wall Street Journal
