Statement As Prepared for Delivery by Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman 
on the Fire at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center January 15, 1999
                                                               
                                            Release No. 0020.99

Statement


                              by 
                                
             Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman 
   on the Fire at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
                                
                        January 15, 1999
                                
                                
     "Above all, I am so thankful that no one was hurt and no research
projects were lost in this sad incident.  

     "This fire was very disruptive for many of USDA's hard working
agricultural research staff.  I appreciate -- as I'm sure we all do -- their
dedication and courage.  Let me assure them that we are going to do everything
we can to restore this historic building.  

     "We do not know what caused this fire, but USDA will assist in any way
possible efforts by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the
Prince George's County Fire Department to investigate this incident."  
                                
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