Approval of the Black Farmer Lawsuit Settlement
                                           Release No. 0164.99 

Statement
                               by
                                
             Secretary of  Agriculture Dan Glickman
                             on the
                         April 14, 1999
                                
                                
     "I am very pleased that today U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman granted final approval to
the settlement between USDA and the black farmers.  I believe that this settlement is fair and just
for both the black farmers and for the American people. I want to personally thank everyone who
has worked so hard on this settlement from President Clinton to our Offices of General Counsel
and Civil Rights and the Department of Justice.  With this approval, USDA can move forward,
putting a painful chapter of our history behind us.  Our commitment to minority farmers and to
civil rights does not end here. We will work to quickly and efficiently implement the settlement
agreement.  We will continue to reach out to underserved communities about our programs. 
And, we will continue our efforts to make USDA the federal government's civil rights leader."




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