TOLL FREE NUMBER WILL HELP PUBLIC WITH CIVIL RIGHTS



                                                   Release No. 0007.97

                                   Tom Amontree  (202) 720-4623
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623

USDA TOLL FREE NUMBER WILL HELP PUBLIC WITH CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
announced today a toll free number to respond to questions and concerns as
part of the Department's continued efforts to be more responsive on civil
rights issues.

     The toll free number will be staffed to provide information on the
Civil Rights Action Team, the status of complaints, and to take comments or
respond to questions from the public.

     The toll free numbers, 1-800-358-4309 (TDD 1-800-520-0446), will be
staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday through Feb. 14.

     During January, USDA's Civil Rights Action Team is holding 13
listening sessions across the country to hear from the public, especially
socially disadvantaged and minority farmers and USDA employees, concerning
civil rights issues facing the Department in both program delivery and
employment.  The toll free number will serve as an extension of the
listening sessions.  In addition, electronic comments can be sent to the
action team at the following e-mail address: civil.rights@usda.gov.  In mid-February, the action team will make recommendations to the Secretary on
improving civil rights at USDA.

     Locations and dates for the remaining listening sessions are:
Window Rock,  Arizona                   January 13
Salinas, California                	January 16
Sacramento, California*                 January 17
Rapid City, South Dakota           	January 18
Washington, D.C.**                 	January 22
Belzoni, Mississippi                    January 24

* This session is for USDA employees.
** There will be two sessions in Washington, D.C.--one for employees in the
morning and one on program delivery for customers and partner groups in the
afternoon.

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