GORE ANNOUNCES ARREST OF 2,199 FUGITIVES
                                              Release No. 0447.97

                                    Johna Pierce (202) 720-4623
                                            johna.pierce@usda.gov
                                      Dianne Smith (202) 720-6915
                                             diannes@oig.usda.gov

VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES ARREST OF 2,199 FUGITIVES IN NATIONWIDE STING

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1997--More than 2,000 fugitive felons--most of
whom were illegally receiving food stamps--have been arrested through a
nationwide sting operation, Vice President Gore today announced.

     The U.S. Department of Agriculture, working with local law enforcement
officials in communities across the country, ran "Operation Talon" for the
last eleven months--resulting in the arrests of 2,199 fugitives and in the
savings of millions in taxpayer dollars.

     "Today, some of the country's most violent criminals are back behind
bars where they belong, thanks to  Operation Talon'," said Gore.  "The
national Food Stamp Program is designed to help decent, law-abiding citizens
get back on their feet during times of need, not to help murderers and
rapists stay on the streets."

     The most dangerous fugitives were targeted in this sting--those wanted
for violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping, child molestation, drug
violations, armed robbery, and rape.

     "Operation Talon" was made possible by the "Personal Responsibility
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996," commonly known as the
welfare reform law.  The welfare reform law allows local food stamp offices
to release the addresses of fugitives wanted for felonies to law enforcement
officers.

     " Operation Talon' is part of USDA's ongoing effort to ensure
integrity in the Food Stamp Program," said Agriculture Secretary Dan
Glickman. "We will continue working with our Inspector General to encourage
local law enforcement and social service agencies to initiate this sort of
effort in their communities."

     Before welfare reform, food stamp offices were prohibited under
confidentiality laws from releasing food stamp recipient information. 
Welfare reform lifted those barriers, and state welfare offices can now work
with law enforcement agencies through initiatives like "Operation Talon" to
put these fugitives back in jail.

     The first apprehensions of "Operation Talon" took place in Louisville
and Lexington, KY, in June 1997, when 85 fugitive felons were arrested. The
ongoing operation has expanded to 24 metropolitan areas.

     Vice President Gore was joined at the White House briefing by
Secretary Glickman, USDA Inspector General Roger Viadero and Under Secretary
for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Shirley Watkins, along with
prosecutors, county sheriffs, chiefs of police, and other law enforcement
officials responsible for the success of "Operation Talon."


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     "The cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement
agencies along with state social services agencies was tremendous," said
Inspector General Viadero, who directed the operation.  "We have had great
success in apprehending fugitives from justice as a result of these matches. 
This is a prime example of the results that can emerge when agencies at all
levels combine forces to reach a common goal."

     "Ensuring that needy Americans have enough to eat is the foundation of
our food assistance programs," Under Secretary Watkins said.  "At the same
time, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service will continue to cooperate on
initiatives like  Operation Talon' in order to maintain public confidence in
the Food Stamp Program."

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