Civil Rights Action Team

                                              Release No. 0040.97

Statement
                              of 
                     Secretary Dan Glickman
                On the Civil Rights Action Team
                       February 10, 1997



     "I sincerely want to thank Pearlie Reed and all the members of the Civil
Rights Action Team. For the past six weeks, this dedicated team has worked
tirelessly for the betterment of this Department, our employees, and our
customers.  They have traveled across the country listening to employee and
customer concerns.  They have talked to USDA employees at all levels in all
agencies.  And, they have studied all the reports and papers that have been
written in the past on civil rights issues at USDA.  They have worked
virtually around the clock and have met my tight deadline for completing this
report. Everyone at USDA and those served by the Department owe Pearlie and
this team a debt of gratitude.

     Let me reaffirm my commitment that these recommendations will not sit on
a shelf and gather dust.  I will read them. I will think about their impact. 
And, at the end of this month, after I return from my trip to South Africa
with Vice President Gore, I will hold a press conference to announce the
actions this Department will take to ensure that USDA lives up to the highest
ideals of civil rights and customer service." 

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