The Agriculture Department held the first of a two-day civil rights and diversity conference in reaction to the Shirley Sherrod case. Ms. Sherrod was forced to resign over allegedly discriminatory remarks caught on video. The video was later found to be edited, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack apologized and offered her a new job. 
Secretary Vilsack addressed the conference via pre-recorded video. Joe Leonard then spoke about department progress in dealing with civil rights and diversity issue. Prior to Mr. Leonard, an Agriculture Department video montage showing workers over time was shown.