USDA HONORS GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
                                             Release No.0387.99
Media Advisory

                                    Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
                                          andy.solomon@usda.gov

USDA HONORS GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

     WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 1999 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has
proclaimed  October 4-8, 1999, as "George Washington Carver Recognition Week"
and today announced a number of events designed to honor Carver.  Among the
honors being given Carver is the designation of a new headquarters facility
for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Md., as the George
Washington Carver Center.

     "Dr. Carver was a remarkable man.  Though born into slavery, through
education and hard work, he rose to prominence.  His outstanding and creative
research improved the health and living conditions of the southern farmer,"
Glickman said.

     Carver developed and taught crop rotation methods for conserving
nutrients in soil, a practice that revolutionized farming in the South.  As an
agricultural chemist, he developed  industrial applications from agricultural
crops and discovered hundreds of new uses for peanuts, soybeans, pecans, and
sweet potatoes.  He is recognized by many as one of the finest scientists the
world has ever known.

     The following events are planned and are open to the media:

               Monday, Oct. 4 
                         10:00 a.m.               Area students to be recognized for their artwork on
                         Carver.  Carver exhibits will be on display.  Replicas
                         of items used by Carver, including the Jesup Wagon,
                         also will be on display.

                              Jamie L. Whitten Building, Patio and Lawn
                                        U. S. Department of Agriculture
                    1400 Independence Ave., SW
                    Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, Oct. 5
                         10:00 a.m.               Peter Duncan Burchard, author of "Carver - A Great
                         Soul," will speak on Dr. Carver's life and work.

                              Jamie L. Whitten Building, Patio
                              U. S. Department of Agriculture
                    1400 Independence Ave., SW
                    Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, Oct. 6
                         9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon   Exhibits on Carver's life will be open to the public.

                    George Washington Carver Center
                    5601 Sunnyside Avenue
                    Beltsville, Md.  
     
                    1:30 p.m.           Dedication and naming ceremony for the George
                    Washington Carver Center.  Speakers include
                    Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman.

                    George Washington Carver Center
                    5601 Sunnyside Avenue
                    Beltsville, Md.  

Thursday, Oct. 7
                         10:00 - 11:30 a.m.       Symposium on the life of George Washington
                         Carver.  Speakers include Dr. B.D. Mayberry of
                         Tuskegee University, a former student of 
                         Carver; Dr. Sande McNabb of Iowa State
                         University; Bill Jackson, Superintendent of the
                         George Washington Carver Monument in Diamond
                         Grove, Mo.; and Peter Duncan Burchard, author of
                         "Carver - A Great Soul."

                    Jefferson Auditorium, South Building
                    U. S. Department of Agriculture
                    1400 Independence Ave., SW
                    Washington, D.C.

                    2:00 - 5:00 p.m.         Exhibits on Carver's life will be open to the public.

                    George Washington Carver Center
                    5601 Sunnyside Avenue
                    Beltsville, Md.

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