GLICKMAN NAMES MEMBERS TO NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD

                                          Releases No. 0423.97
                                                               

                                     Carol Blake (202) 720-8998
                                                cblake@usda.gov
                                   Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959
                                              jredding@usda.gov

GLICKMAN NAMES MEMBERS TO NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1997 -- Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman
announced 13 appointments to the National Watermelon Promotion Board. 

     The following appointees will serve terms beginning Jan. 1, 1998, and
ending Dec. 31, 2000:  

     Producers representing District 2:  Grady H. Jones, Bell, Fla.; and
Howell E. Lancaster, Trenton, Fla.

     Handlers representing District 2:  W. Douglas Dickerson, Gulf Breeze,
Fla.; and William A. Smith, Jr., Bell, Fla.

     Producers representing District 3: Austin L. (Butch) Coarsey,
Brookfield, Ga.; and Joey W. Watford, Cottonwood, Ala.

     Handlers representing District 3: David L. Hobbs, Cordele, Ga.; and J.
D. McBride, Jr., Thomasville, Ga.

     Producers representing District 6: Mildred A. Hartman, Denver City,
Texas; and Lynn W. Wimberley, Rector, Ark.

     Handlers representing District 6: Paul W. Teague, Jonesboro, Ark.; and
Nina S. Estes, McAllen, Texas.

     Importer: Kevin Hughes, Edinburg, Texas.

     The board administers the Watermelon Research and Promotion Program. 
Watermelon producers, handlers and importers finance the board's programs
through assessments.  USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the
board's operations.  Producers, handlers, and importers nominated
representatives from their respective constituencies.

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