KENNEDY NAMED ACTING DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND     
  ECONOMICS
Release No. 0398.97


                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
                                     Maria Bynum (202) 720-5196
                                           maria.bynum@usda.gov


KENNEDY NAMED ACTING DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND     
  ECONOMICS

     WASHINGTON, Nov.7, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced the appointment of Dr. Eileen Kennedy as acting deputy under
secretary for research, education, and economics, effective Nov. 10.  

     "Eileen Kennedy has provided sound policy advice,analysis, and
research on USDA's food assistance and nutrition programs,"said Glickman.
"Her ability to work with diverse groups to develop
research driven dietary guidance will serve USDA well in
her new role.  Her keen insight and extensive background
in research and education will prove invaluable as USDA
sets research and education priorities that are
responsive to the needs of the American people."  

     Kennedy will work with the Under Secretary for
research, education, and economics, I. Miley Gonzalez,
to provide oversight of the research, education, and
economics mission.  She will help to manage the
Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State
Research Education, and Extension Service, the Economic
Research Service, and the National Agricultural
Statistics Service.

     Prior to her appointment, Kennedy served as the Executive Director of
the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.  She managed the Center
and provided technical direction for policy research and applied nutrition
for USDA's nutrition programs.
     
     Before joining USDA in 1994, Kennedy was a visiting professor at Tufts
University, School of Nutrition.  From 1981 to 1994, Kennedy worked for the
International Food Policy Research Institute here as a senior research
fellow.  She also worked as a visiting professorial lecturer at Johns
Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies from 1987 to 1990.
     
     Dr. Kennedy is currently a member of the United Nations Advisory Group
on Nutrition as well as a member of the Institute of Medicine's Board on
International Health. 

     She received her B.A. degree from Hunter College in New York, NY, and
her two M.S. degrees, one in Foods and Nutrition from Pennsylvania State
University and one in Nutrition from Harvard.  Kennedy received her Doctor
of Science degree from Harvard University.



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