May 10, 2004

Mr. Robert G. Davis
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
USAA
USAA Building
San Antonio, TX 78288


Dear Mr. Davis,

         As the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which employs Foreign Service Officers both at home and abroad, I wish to express my views regarding your company's recent decision to exclude certain members of the Foreign Service from United Services Automobile Association eligibility.

         Your new policy of refusing membership to Foreign Service Officers who work at agencies whose mandates do not mention national security is unfortunate. All Foreign Service Officers, regardless of their home agency, have sworn to defend and protect the constitution of the United States and should be treated as one single corps of United States government employees.

         The latest United States National Security Strategy specifically mentions foreign aid and trade as lynchpins of U.S. national security. The dedicated ranks of Foreign Service Officers, whether they are employed by the Department of State, Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, or the Agency for International Development, are therefore essential to ensuring American security in these increasingly insecure times.

         I urge you to reconsider your decision.

Sincerely,

Ann M. Veneman
Secretary of Agriculture