Release No. 0432.97



                                      Johna Pierce (202) 720-4623
                                            johna.pierce@usda.gov
                                     Johanna Ramos (703) 305-2039
                                       johanna_ramos@fcs.usda.gov


PARADIS NAMED DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD, NUTRITION, AND CONSUMER    
SERVICES

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced the appointment of Julie Paradis as Deputy Under Secretary for Food,
Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

     "Welcoming Julie back to USDA, and being able to rely on her expertise
with the Food and Nutrition Service's programs is a real pleasure," Glickman
said.

     Paradis most recently served as Deputy Counsel of the minority staff of
the House Agriculture Committee, overseeing nutrition and domestic feeding
program legislation.

     "I am very pleased to have someone with Julie's vast depth and breadth
of knowledge join our management team here at USDA," said Under Secretary for
Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Shirley Watkins.  "Her experience and
perspective will be indispensable as we work to improve our nutrition
assistance programs -- and the nutritional health of all Americans -- in the
new millennium."

     In her new position as Deputy Under Secretary, Paradis will be
responsible for policy and program development for the Food and Nutrition
Service's 15 food assistance programs.  She also will help oversee the work of
USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion -- translating nutrition
research into consumer education.

     Paradis has served as Assistant Majority Counsel for the House
Agriculture Committee, providing legal support for the reauthorization of the
National School Lunch Act and the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act. 
She has served as consultant to the House Agriculture Committee's Livestock,
Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee and Staff Director for the Subcommittee on
Domestic Marketing, Consumer Relations, and Nutrition.

     Prior to her Capitol Hill experience, Paradis served as a staff attorney
in USDA's office of General Counsel.  She is a graduate of the University of
Houston, the University of Texas School of Law, and a Member of the Texas Bar.


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