NEWS
Farm Service Agency
Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW
Stop 0506, Room 3624-South
Washington, D.C. 20250-0506

MEDIA ADVISORY
                                                  
                               Release No. 1435.01

For planning purposes only     Doug Richardson (202) 418-4266
Not for publication          doug_richardson@wdc.fsa.usda.gov
              

TOBACCO COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 21
                              
     WASHINGTON, January 31, 2001--The President's
Commission on Improving Economic Opportunity in Communities
Dependent on Tobacco Production While Protecting Public
Health announced today a public meeting will be held February
21, 2001, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 2101 L Street, NW,
Room 303A, Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting will be
to review comments received on the Preliminary Report, and
recommendations from a tobacco working group, and others in
preparation for work on the Final Report.  

     The preliminary report can be viewed on-line at the
following URL:www.fsa.usda.gov/tobcom/reports.htm.  The time
for persons wishing to submit comments has been extended to
March 8, 2001.

WHO:      President's Commission on Improving
          Economic Opportunity in 
          Communities Dependent on Tobacco Production
          While Protecting Public Health

WHAT:     Review written comments received on the
          Preliminary Report

WHERE:    2101 L Street, NW, Room 303A, Washington, DC

WHEN:     February 21, 2001, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

     Commission meetings are open to the public; however,
seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.

  For further information contact Doug Richardson,
Executive Director, Tobacco Commission, United States
Department of Agriculture, (USDA), 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, STOP 0574, Washington, D.C. 20250-0574 or telephone (202)
418-4266 or toll free (866) 804-6698; FAX (202) 418-
4270; Internet: doug_richardson@wdc.fsa.usda.gov.  If special
accommodations are required, please contact Doug Richardson,
at the address specified above, by COB February 16, 2001.