FV-174 Confidential Background Statement Vidalia Onions (Produc

FORM APPROVED

-OMB

NO. 0581-0178

U.8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAMS

CONFIDENTIAL BACKGROUND STATEMENT
(For the Infonnation of Secretary of Agriculture)
VIDALIA ONIONS - MARKETING ORDER NO. 95S
POSITION

DISTRICT
I.

Name

2.

Address (Business)

Phone No. (Area Code)

E-mail Address
(If a handler, also show ftnn name and in what capacity you selVe in such ftnn.)
3.

Have selVed previously as a member or alternate

4.

Years growing (if grower).
Years handling (if handler).

5.

Acres and last year's production (if grower)
Approximate carlots handled (if handler).

6.

Membership in industry organizations

7.

Office held or any other particular activity in past years connected with industry programs:

8.

Marketing order committee members, in their official capacities, are prohibited from taking any action
specifIcally designed to influence legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion concerning
legislation. Committee members may not communicate with any official of a State or Federal legislative
body for the purpose of attempting to influence legislation. Committee members are also prohibited from
attempting to influence State or Federal government actions or policies or those of foreign governments,
except as specifIcally authorized under the marketing order or expressly approved by the Secretary.
Committee members are specifIcally precluded from authorizing the expenditure of marketing order funds
for the purpose of attempting to influence legislation or government actions.
These same prohibitions apply to committee mangers, staff, and contractors, except that committee
managers may consult with the Department of Agriculture employees during the pendency of infonnal
rulemaking actions.

FV-174 (07/03)

Page 1 of2

jointly for errors in judgment, mistakes or other acts either of omission or commission (except for acts of
dishonesty, willful ~issond1:!Ct,or gross negli~ence) in the ~onduct ~f their duties under.the I!larketing
Alternatively, legal defense may be provided through private counsel, if recommended by the Department
of Agriculture (USDA) and approved by 001. USDA and 001 enjoy an excellent working relationship
with respect to providing legal representation for committee members and employees, either by DOlor
through authorized private counsel. USDA is committed to a comprehensive legal defense policy for all
committee members and employees acting within the scope of their authorized committee duties and
responsibilities.

I am willing to serve on the Committee.

(Date)

(Signature)

NOTE: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person Is not
required to respond to a collection of Infonnatlon unless It displays a valid OMS control number. The valid OMS control
number for this Infonnatlon collection Is 0581-0178. The time required to complete this Infonnatlon collection Is estimated
to average 10 minutes per response, Including the time for reviewing Instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of Infonnatlon.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination In all Its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental
status, or protected genetic Infonnatlon. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication of program InfonnatJon (Braille, large print. audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TOD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Sulldlng, 14th and
Independence Avenue, Sw, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TOD). USDA Is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.

FV 74 (07/03)

Page 2 of2