USDA'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO ENCOURAGE ACTION FROM WOMEN
BUSINESS LEADERS ON YEAR 2000 ISSUE

Media Advisory

                                      Ted Miller (202) 720-9427

USDA'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO ENCOURAGE ACTION FROM WOMEN
BUSINESS LEADERS ON YEAR 2000 ISSUE

     WASHINGTON, October 16, 1998--Agriculture Chief Financial Officer Sally
Thompson will encourage women business leaders in Kansas to act on the Year
2000 (Y2K) computer problem and provide them with an update on the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's progress in addressing this issue.

     Thompson's keynote address Tuesday to attendees at the Lawrence, Kan.,
Chamber of Commerce's Second Annual Women's Conference coincides with the
President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion's "National Y2K Action Week," an
effort to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to act on the Y2K
computer problem.

 WHO:         Sally Thompson, Chief Financial Officer
                     U.S. Department of Agriculture
                    
WHAT:         Keynote speech to women business leaders in Lawrence,
                       Kan.
     
 WHERE:     Lawrence Holiday Inn/Holidome
                     Michigan Avenue Lawrence, Kan.

 WHEN:        Noon-1:30 p.m.
                      Tuesday, October 20, 1998

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