GLICKMAN NAMES NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD MEMBERS
                                           Release No 0480.98. 
                              
                                                               
                                     Carol Blake (202) 720-8998
                                                cblake@usda.gov
                                       Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
                                           Billy_A_Cox@usda.gov


GLICKMAN NAMES NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD MEMBERS

     WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 1998--Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman today
announced 12 appointments to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.  The
board works to expand, maintain, and develop new markets for watermelon
through its administration of the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan.

     The following appointees will serve terms beginning on Jan. 1, 1999, and
ending on 
Dec. 31, 2001:  

     Producers representing District 4:  Marvin Randy Cockrell, Bamberg, S.C.
and Richard H. Bailey, Schoolcraft, Mich.

     Handlers representing District 4:  Kenneth L. Frey, Vincennes, Ind., and
Anita M. Field, Decker, Ind.

     Producers representing District 5:  Robert E. (Bob) Ramming, Hinton,
Okla., and 
David G. Celli, Stockton, Calif.

     Handlers representing District 5: Charles W. (Chuck) Botsford , Lake
Oswego, Ore., and Ronald A. Perry, Manteca, Calif.

     Producers representing District 7:  Baldev K. (David) Munger, Delano,
Calif., and Arnott K. Duncan, III, Goodyear, Ariz.

     Handlers representing District 7:  Todd Thomas Harrison, Tubac, Ariz.,
and Jim Schmidt, LaQuinta, Calif.
     
     The producer members were nominated by producers and the handler members
were nominated by handlers.  Watermelon producers, handlers, and importers
finance the board's programs through assessments.  USDA's Agricultural
Marketing Service monitors the board's operations.

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