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IRT&a4J<4CU/ASh£ jpACUj&i, IfCl CUA \j4iAAhseW MU \ Tommy Irvin / \ Decently ___Mm while tak \ T f^^T~ *ng my JtKL \AZ_evening walk, I stopped to experience the crispness of the fall air and to lis ten to the gentle breeze rustling the fragile, yet colorful leaves gracefully adorning the formidable trees. The sound of the night crea tures communicating with each other was musical in the quietness of the eve. 1 thought to myself, “the breath taking beauty of this scene surely can only be witnessed in my beloved North Georgia Mountains at dusk.’ These serene surround ings gave me a great sense of secu rity and calmness. I became acute ly aware that I was experiencing the miracle of the good Lord’s cre ation. I reflected on this wonderful time of year, thanking Father for his love, my family, my career and my health. 1 mostly thanked him for giving me so much beauty to enjoy. As I continued down my drive- IOLLY NUT %FC MAIL ORDER COMPANY 100 Commercial Heights • Fort Valley, Georgia 31030 S*3» n Our extended store hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00-5:30 OpenHouseDeCjAtKl999lo|oo-s^oo/&00-332-1505^ HAPPY HOLIDAYS Valley Cable TV 602 College St. Fort Valley 825-3626 way that leads to the two-lane highway. I leaned against the white fence personally acknowl edging that it was God’s grace to whom I owed all my strength and belongings. He allowed me to move ahead when my father died In a work accident at the age of 36. Replacing my pain with loving memories. He gave me strength to assume the head of our house hold. And I know that it was because of His grace and my hav ing the common sense to listen to him that 1 have been so fortunate to be able to serve you for so long in this office. 1 truly believe that we are all endowed with certain gifts and God expects us to use them as He instructs, not as we desire. I pray 1 have followed His will serving Him through my service to you. This personal reaffirmation of my belief lent itself to the miracle that I know can happen for our farmers. As Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture. 1 know we can count on God’s grace and mercy to give our farmers the strength to pull through. This past decade has been tough for farmers across the nation. With 1999 appearing to be the most trying. I have written U&c arc a full line gift ebop offering pccane, gourmet item* ani> gift ba*kct*. I#c have canMce, book*, tebbv bear*, carbo, millennium angel*, fruitcake*, rum cake* anb much more. Thanksgiving Blessings & Cookbook, November 1999 more letters to Congress, talked directly to the President of the United States, made more phone calls to federal farm administra tors and talked to more farmers about their plight than I have ever had to do in my 31 years your Agriculture Commissioner. I have fought for a workable crop insur ance. a safety net under commodi ty prices, a dairy compact, assis tance for tobacco farmers during their transition, and emergency and disaster assistance. We've had victories, but we’ve had some tough losses. And until we get the majority of Americans to understand the true value of our farmers, I fear we may be fac ing a true crisis in our farming communities in the millennium and beyond. Think about it, there are so many farmers who need our support. Even our beekeepers, producers of insects essential for the pollination for many of our crops are facing devastation due to tracheal mites. Most of us are enjoying the greatest economic prosperity of our lives. For this we are thankful. But. this year, as we come togeth er to celebrate the holiday season, beginning with Thanksgiving. 1 beg f w "9|Vl’ v » miifiiMM**' Dina Kara ft ShettyM.l Board Certified Internist Committed to quality care. Providing specialty care & Primary care. Affiliated with Houston Medical & vly Peach Regional Hospitals •Cardiac stress test *Lung function studies •Flexible sigmoidoscope •Allergy testing •Skin Cancer screening *Preventive Medicine •Laboratory Services •Skin Biopsy •Cancer Screening • Cholesterol Screening •Comprehensive Physicals •Stroke, Heart attacks, Diabetes •Free Blood Pressure & diabetic screening •Management of Complicated Medical problems New Patients Welcome . Accepting most Health Plans, Hull I III' Valley Medical Group MMlllijmltm N* Camellia Blvd^ viiinklwlyv*i%ri F° rt Valley •jfj \t 825 - 7000 f | .'\J of you all to include our farmers in your prayers, without whom, the feast we take for granted each year and the clothes we wear daily would not be possible. Pray that Mother Nature will give them a much-needed break. Pray that our legislators on the state and nation al level will put aside party differ ences long enough to be just and fair to the providers of our food and fiber. In short, we need to remove the regional variances from Congress as they pertain to agricultural production. Midwestern, north ern, southern and eastern law makers representing farmers must not think geographically, but should work together for all farmers. Those of us who arc not farmers, but depend on them for our daily bread, must remember that whatever happens in our rural communities will have a domino effect in our urban set tings. We must never lose sight of who is responsible for our many blessings. Lastly. I ask that you pray for a greater personal understanding of our farmers thereby giving us the inspiration to fight and advocate on their behalf. PAGE 11