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Part I: Based on this week’s reading of Beermann, describe 3
administrative agencies with which you have come into contact. Briefly
explain each agency and its purpose, your experience with the agency,
and whether you realized that this was an administrative agency at the
time.
Part II: Like the government, administrative agencies exist within the
church. Explain 1 administrative agency that is within your church or a
local church of your choosing.
Administrative law governs how officials and agencies exercise the authority
granted by the legislation.1 The three agencies that I have encountered includes:
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Social Security Administration
(SSA), and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a vital role in protecting public
health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, medical devices,
food, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting products.2 Additionally, the FDA delivers
science-based health information to the public.3 Over the past five years, I have
built a career in the pharmaceutical industry. The partnership between the
pharmaceutical industry and the FDA is characterized by rigorous scrutiny and
strict regulatory compliance, which is essential for meeting the highest standards
of safety and effectiveness. I have participated in numerous audits across
manufacturing, quality control, and quality assurance, with the FDA. Staying
current with evolving laws and regulations is crucial at every stage of
development whether a new drug or process improvement, as it can mean the
difference between success and potential shutdown.
1 Jack M. Beermann, Administrative Law: What Matters and Why 2, (2nd ed. 2020).
2 Unknown, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA Gov, https://www.usa.gov/agencies/food-and-drug-
administration.
3 Id.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers a variety of benefits,
including the issuance of Social Security numbers, which are required for
employment and financial transactions, as well as the management of benefits
such as retirement, disability, survivor support, and Medicare enrollment.4 Their
efforts help millions of people navigate life with the stability and resources they
need.5 Now, I have had my Social Security number since birth, but I am currently
in the process of changing my last name to my married name, which has
required interaction with the SSA.
Vehicle safety inspections, driver licenses, and vehicle registrations are all
governed and overseen by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The main
goal is to ensure that drivers adhere to the laws and that the cars on public roads
are safe to drive on. In addition, the DMV administers the permit tests and the
driving tests, keeping track of all driving records. Furthermore, when owning a
car there are fees and taxes involved that the DMV collect. I have dealt with the
DMV a numerous number of times, from gaining my permit, to my driver’s
license, to changing my license from PA to NC, moving and needing to update
the address, vehicle registration, and voter registration.
I have always viewed the FDA, SSA, and DMV as administrative agencies.
In the church, the council acts like an administrative agency, overseeing
operations, ministry planning, community events, and finances while guiding the
congregation. Additionally, membership includes programs for all ages and
outreach, leadership involves appointing representatives to oversee a specific
area, and reporting is crucial for compliance with internal policies as well as state
and federal laws. Overall, whether the church (Law of Nature's God) or the
government (Law of Nature), they serve as the foundation, offering structure and
4 Unknown, Welcome to Social Security, Social Security, https://www.ssa.gov/about-
ssa#:~:text=Welcome%20to%20Social%20Security,and%20enroll%20individuals%20in
%20Medicare.
5 Id.
support as they guide an agency or community toward a more organized and
functional society.
