On December 24, 1992, Mike Espy was confirmed as the first Black Secretary of Agriculture in U.S. history. Appointed by President-elect Bill Clinton, Espy officially took office on January 22, 1993. His appointment marked a historic moment as he became the first African American and the first person from the Deep South to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Prior to this role, Espy served as a U.S. Representative from Mississippi, where he focused on agricultural and rural issues. As Secretary, he aimed to reform USDA programs to better serve small farmers, minorities, and underrepresented communities in rural America.
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