Release No.0187.00
                                                               
                     Media Contact: Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                          susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
                  Public Contact:  Martha Abrams (202) 720-3310
                                         martha.abrams@usda.gov

GLICKMAN HONORS USDA EMPLOYEES IN ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

     WASHINGTON, June 5, 2000--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
honored U.S. Department of Agriculture employees from across the nation for
exemplary service and achievements in the 54th annual USDA Honor Awards
Ceremony.

     "Nothing at USDA has impressed me more than the dedication of our
workforce," Glickman said.  "The Honor Awards are a tribute to our employees
for their diligence, commitment, and sacrifice in carrying out their
responsibilities and serving the American people."

     Award winners represent outstanding service in many fields, including
stewardship of natural resources, scientific research, disease control,
environmental innovations, educational outreach, reinventing government,
emergency response to disasters, food safety, farm and food program delivery,
trade and export development, and rural economic development.  USDA also 
honored employees who had performed individual acts of heroism and courage.

     The highest USDA Honor Awards are the Golden and Silver Plow Awards.

Golden Plow Award
        Black Hills National Forest Snugget Crew, Forest Service, Rapid City, S.D.
     - For selfless assistance in the search and rescue of an individual lost
     in the forest during a snowstorm at night in dangerous terrain.

Silver Plow Awards
        Hong Kong H5N1 Avian Influenza Research Group, Agricultural Research
     Service, Athens, Ga. - For research that advanced our understanding of
     the pathobiology and epidemiology of the Hong Kong H5N1 avian influenza
     and development of strategies to protect United States' poultry. 
       Thedis B. Crowe, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bozeman, Mont. -
     For work with American Indian Tribes resulting in increased Department
     of Agriculture program participation enhancing tribal lands' natural
     resources.
       Sam Neal, Forest Service, Winona, Mo. - For preventing further trauma to
     eight persons injured in a vehicle accident, by swiftly appraising the
     situation and communicating life-saving instructions to non-English
     speaking victims.
       Yudhbir Sharma, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Sacramento, Calif. - For
     unusual selflessness and heroism, risking his life to pull an accident
     victim to safety.
       Lincoln Multicultural Middle School Adopt-A-School Program, Food Safety and
     Inspection Service, Washington, D.C. - For outstanding public service
     and commitment to the children of Lincoln Multicultural Middle School,
     serving as a model to many Department-wide adopt-a-school efforts.

     In addition to the 121 honor award presentations, USDA recognized its 15
Presidential Rank Award recipients, USDA recipients of major awards sponsored
by external organizations, and the over 300 employees across the country who
have more than 40 years of service each.

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