Secretary Of Agriculture Gently Reminded About Dress Code

May 1, 2002 | Issue 38•16

WASHINGTON, DC— After attending Monday's Cabinet meeting in a flannel work shirt
and tattered jeans, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman was gently reminded by President
Bush about the executive-branch dress code. "Say, you know, we get a lot of foreign
dignitaries coming through here," Bush told Veneman. "So I think it might be a
good idea if you had a little bit more of a professional appearance. Like maybe a nice
navy-blue dress." Bush also encouraged Veneman to consider dress shoes instead of her
usual steel-toe work boots.