GLICKMAN ESTABLISHES HISPANIC ADVISORY COUNCIL AT USDA


                                            Release No. 0393.97
                                                               
                                    Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                          tom.amontree@usda.gov
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov

GLICKMAN ESTABLISHES HISPANIC ADVISORY COUNCIL AT USDA 

     WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced that he has established a Hispanic Advisory Council at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and has appointed its first 13 members.  Its
purpose is to provide leadership on Hispanic issues at USDA.

     "I anticipate the HAC will provide USDA management with a focal point
to assess, measure, and ensure progress in addressing issues and objectives
of USDA employees and USDA customers who are Hispanic," Glickman said.  "I
also expect HAC to provide the necessary leadership, support, and resources
to assure that the recommendations of our Hispanic Issues Task Force are
carried out."

     The establishment of HAC is one of the recommendations listed in an
action plan drafted by USDA's Hispanic Issues Task Force, which studied the
opportunities for Hispanic employees and customers at USDA.  The Hispanic
Issues Task Force action plan complements the USDA Civil Rights Action Team
Report issued last February.
  
     The first meeting of HAC was held in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 9-10,
1997, to begin collectively addressing the status of the 69 recommendations
made by the task force.  The recommendations are grouped into three areas:
Program Delivery and Services; Employment and Career Development; and
Education and Research.  HAC will meet monthly for the remainder of 1997 in
Washington, D.C., to continue to gather information, conduct research, and
move to implement its recommendations.

     The council is co-chaired by Christine Pytel, acting deputy assistant
secretary for administration, and George Aldaya, deputy administrator for
management with the Farm Service Agency.  The HAC consists of
representatives from USDA's mission areas and a representative of the USDA
Hispanic employee organizations.  The HAC members are:

Administration:
     Christine Pytel, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration,
     (202) 720-3291.

Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services:
     George Aldaya, Deputy Administrator for Management, Farm Service
     Agency, (202)720-3438.

Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services:
     Gary Maupin, Chief Financial Officer & Deputy Administrator for
     Financial Management, Food and Consumer Service, (703) 305-2046.

Food Safety:
     Francisco Apodaca, Chief for Financial Reviews and Analysis Branch,
     Food Safety and Inspection Service, (202) 690-4260.

Hispanic Employee Organizations:
     Rebecca De La Torre, Public Affairs Specialist, National Organization
     of Professional Hispanic Natural Resources Conservation Service
     Employees (NOPHNRCSE), Natural Resources Conservation Service, (505)
     761-4404.

Marketing and Regulatory Programs:
     James R. Baker, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and
     Stockyards Administration, (202) 720-0219.

Natural Resources and Environment:
     Ariel E. Lugo, Director, International Institute of Tropical Forestry,
     Forest Service, (787) 766-5335.

Office of Communications:
     Johanna Ramos, Deputy Administrator for Governmental Affairs and
     Public Information, Food and Consumer Services, (703) 305-2039.

Office of the Inspector General:
     Paula F. Hayes, Assistant Inspector General, (202) 720-6979.

Office of the Secretary:
     Miguel Gonzalez, Confidential Assistant, Research, Education &
     Economics, (202) 720-5923.

Research, Education, and Economics:
     Carlos V. Alonso, Research Leader, Agricultural Research Service, 
     (601) 232-2969.

Rural Development:
     Inga Smulkstys, Deputy Under Secretary for Operations and Management,
     Rural Development, (202) 720-4581.

Senior Advisor:
     Michael V. Dunn, Assistant Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory
     Programs, (202) 720-7813.

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