Bob's Blog

I first met and worked with Luis in Plainview, Texas, over 25 years ago.
Getting to know him, I knew even back then of the ladder he sought to climb.
I knew he would achieve good things, and that they would eventually be his;
Because something about his drive, work ethic, pushing; striving to achieve the best all the time.
Sure enough, he moved up that career path like blood swiftly up a big portal vein,
From Texas to Colorado, California, Headquarters, East Coast, and back home to Texas again.

He’s been to so many places, and has been fortunate to meet so many folks along the way
All the places all run together, but friends he’s made for life.
From the good times fishing with friends in the gulf;
To the times crafting his sharp wit telling stories and jokes,
To spending time with his beautiful family that has shaped his life, to all good things been bestowed;
He’d probably say it’s all because all the good folks he has met along the way and gotten to know.

Incredibly faithful to the USDA, a born leader, and a very interesting character to say the least,
Who, at times, you don’t quite know how to take him, for his veneer is quite thick.
Very meticulous in his work; uses spreadsheets and such, to the edge of insanity at times,
Yet a very patient man (had to, to put up with me); doesn’t play silly games and such with politics, and the like.
Most folks don’t know that he hardly ever takes any breaks all day so that his work won’t delay,
We worry that we will find him in his office face-up, hands & feet twitching like a big insect one day.

Now, flash forward, and quite literally, at the top of his game,
With a big fancy title in charge of countless of investigators in eight States laying claim;
You wouldn’t know it since he’s so down to earth; and his commitment for his troops he won’t conceal.
Funny that years ago, he called me the “Wannabe Mex” since, of course, he is the real Mexican deal.
Luis would probably say it was all laid out back then in the bigger plan so long ago,
Even before he ever set foot as a young kid in El Paso.

Robert Collazo, 11/3/10

It’s been great working with you again, Brother!

I first met Deb when she was a Senior Compliance Officer many years ago,
Which now seems like a blur from my past.
Now after 31 years with the USDA, she will be retiring soon, so I just wanted to bestow
My good thoughts about her and all she has done and amassed.

My memory goes back when I first worked with her
On some special investigation or project we were trying to write.
I can recall all our “lively” discussions but at the end, of course, we both concurred;
For we always put the good of the Agency primarily forthright.

Now I’ve been told that the measure of a good person is not how much money, or power you have while you’re here,
But what kind of a footprint you leave behind that won’t disappear.
Well, Deb you’ve done much for FSIS, and should be quite proud you made this place
A little better than you found it, and your legacy will be hard to replace.

Good Luck in retirement, Deb!

Robert Collazo, 10/30/10

Would you still be fighting for noble deeds
If you were still alive today?
Be leading a rally for someone’s rights in some unknown land
Or leading Sean in an unbelievable band?

Somehow I know you’d be protesting something here or there,
Possibly the Noble Peace prize winner dissident in China locked away.
Or maybe some radioactive decay.
You’d still be championing to ensure people secured their rights everyday.

What would you say about all the disarray still in this world today?
Always the optimist, I’m sure you’d say we were fine.
For sure you’d be preaching that as long as we have peace and love,
You would imagine that it’s worth the wait to just get to the finish line.

I, for one, still miss you Johnny…

Robert Collazo, 10/9/10

I talk to Rudy, and we share stuff going on; life, music, and everything again is good.
The power of friends that sweep you away from the chaos of life.
What is it about good buddies that they incite, like a big pilot light?
I can’t seem to put my finger on it other than they take your mind away from your stress.
We laugh so hard sometimes, and everything again is forthright.

It seems that we connect with each other like we are brothers.
For friendship holds no boundaries, no borders, and we commit with all our faults;
No judgments are made, and something I can’t explain, happens that shapes the other
That, at times, no words need to be said to convey.
That is the power of the human spirit, together as one, “Mano a Mano”, as my Dad would say.

Where does that big “caballo” Rudy hail from?
What’s his motis operendi?
Well, his Dad is from Yugoslavia, and his dear Mom is from Slovenia,
I laughed when Rudy told me that his Mom swore that Flaco Jimenez was Slavic too;
It was Flaco’s beautiful accordion polka song that evoked in her sweet memories from her home in her old country.

Rudy had to explain to her that Flaco was a Mexican American from Texas;
Which made me wonder and reinforced in me that we all come from the same melting pot.
That gave me chills, emotions and made me realize
It’s a small world indeed, and what a feat,
If the distance from Texas to Slovenia was so close to the heart of his Mom, then that’s special and pretty sweet!

Robert Collazo, 9/25/10

He does not seem to get too much credit around here.
However, when your computer goes out, he’s the first one we call.
Dedicated and true, that you can be sure, for he’s in it for the long haul.
He’s the one who gets us rolling again and won’t let us stall.

So, who is he?

An only sibling from Louisiana, land of music, gumbo and spice,
Where life is mellow, sweet, and is really good.
Everything there revolves around family, love, and food.
We’re really lucky to have him as part of our USDA family
That we cannot exclude.

So, try to remember Dedric, in the trenches deep for us all,
He’s sure to be working on some computer project, or maybe on some crazy conference call.
Ensuring that our equipment is running just right for you and I;
So that we can shine in our jobs; but really the true support person is he,
That we can surely all agree!

Robert Collazo, 9/23/10

Linda comes from Chicago, where it’s cold, and the winds blow,
To Texas, where the bluebonnets roam, she now makes her home.
She is our rock and support; when we need her, she is there,
So true with a passion that’s really quite rare.

A beautiful family she has, no one can dispute;
With Rick, and their three kids,
There’s Sauti, Niamke, and Taraji- who’s in the military now, and we must salute!
A close-knit family they have, and quite proud of, I bet no one dare refute.

That Linda is our crossword champ, there can be no doubt,
Know that we’ve tried to get her to quit smoking, but hey, watch out!
At times, a force to be reckoned with, headstrong, and true,
For you can be sure she’ll fight to the end for you, she will follow through.

Now Linda, I know that this office will do well
With a someone so steady, sure, and dedicated like you.
From my heart, I wish you the very best, you know that I do.
For our time is getting close and I will soon bid you adieu.

Robert  Collazo, 9/23/10

Everyone has a nemesis called Time, and it is feared by all.
I know it is there; can hear it breathe; it is following my every move, watching me,
Nipping at my toes, wanting me like my last curtain call.
I dare not look back, for I know it is there like a crazed banshee.
Can hear it turning, brewing like an ugly squall.
I try to prevail, be gutsy most of the time, but at times feel like an escaped parolee.

My good friend, Joel – his Dad died this week in a senseless accident.
The man was still so full of life, and so it made me wonder
The reason, the cause; is it correct to say it was his time?
No one can say for sure; for only God can explain.
All I know is that Time affects us all; sometimes when we’re old, and sometimes in our prime.
This is why we must keep loved ones very close, and live life to the fullest with no constraints.

Robert Collazo, 9/19/10

Had to write today, had to express this.
The 9/11 tragedy weighing too heavy, too painful, and too hard to reminisce.
All this hate in the world, so hard to dismiss.
Spinning around, and can’t get out of this abyss.

Doesn’t seem 9 years, or that long ago,
Remembering terrible sights and sounds of that day, now seem like a really bad ugly show.
Those horrible emotions in our hearts, we will never outgrow.
The world seemed to stop for an instant; then the ugly hate flowed.

What are we doing, if we all can’t get along?
What has God, Christ, Allah, and all religions been preaching lifelong?
Think Peace today, and recall our kinfolk in those towers, so big, so beautiful and so strong,
Who were from all faiths, all nationalities, and all religions, who never thought anything would ever go wrong.

Robert Collazo, 9/11/10

Most folks don’t know that Al was raised by his dear Grandma in a rough barrio in South San Antonio.
A true blue Texan, through and through, that’s quite proud of his roots.
But these days, you’re more likely to find him with a congressman representing the USDA on Capitol Hill in a nice fancy suit.
“The Administrator”, in fact, of FSIS; working hard to improve, move the Agency forward, and a big fancy star.
But he’d be the first to tell you that he never expected to get this far.

Now don’t you dare mess with his kids, Brandon, Aaron, and Amanda,
With all of their accomplishments, he is quite proud a Dad, there can be no question of that, hands down.
But you may not have known that years ago he was just “Little Al”, since his Dad was also in USDA, and also quite renowned.
No secret that Al encourages all to strive like he, to be the very best.
That he is a high achiever, there can be no doubt, we can surely attest.

Now if you know Al, you’d say he’s calm, collected and cool.
But he’s probably like that because he’s been there, you see.
He started as an GS-5 USDA slaughter inspector in Dalhart, Texas, in a slaughter plant, just like you and me.
Did he strive to be the best inspector, even back then?
Those of us who’ve known him for thirty-something years, can just about guarantee.

Now Al has done these things for the USDA not because they were easy.
But because some things, at times, had to be done that were tough.
Climbing the career ladder to the top as he did, as everyone knows, is not a simple task, and was surely a “little” rough.
But he did it for the consumer in mind, food safety above all, getting the job done.
Now he’s more humble than I, but surely when he got the top job, probably felt like he hit a great home run!

Another thing you may not know about Al is that he has always been a scrapper, always fighting for the average “Joe”.
His message to the people in the field that are wanting to get ahead, and get promoted
Would be to “Go for it”, and ensure that you make that plan.
Now Al, when it’s all said and done, I hope someday when you are old and gray, that you realize and know,
That we were all quite proud of you, for surely you did the very best for our USDA, and for your fellow man!

Robert Collazo, 8/22/10

There’s a tune in my heart,
And it’s all about you and me.
Won’t you dance?
It’ll be really nice, you’ll see.

I’ll take you for a ride, and sweep you off your feet.
We can dance slowly and sweet.
Then, we’ll go worldwide.
Together, you’ll see, we’ll have a window seat.

There’s a tune in my heart,
And it’s all about you,
We’ll make it magical through and through,
In our special field of view.

So, come dance with me,
Won’t you take a chance, sweet Marie?
It will be so fine, you’ll see.
Together, our life will be so complete.

Robert Collazo, 8/11/10