Remarks
          As Prepared for Delivery
                               by
                                
             Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman
Memorial Service For Jean Hillery, Tom Quadros And Bill Shaline
              June 30, 2000   Oakland, California



     "Before I say a few words, I want to share a message from someone who
couldn't be here today.

Secretary Glickman reads statement from President Clinton

     "On behalf of the entire U.S. Department of Agriculture, I want to offer
my condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Jean Hillery, Tom
Quadros and Bill Shaline.  USDA and the California Department of Food and
Agriculture are better off for the time that they gave to us. 

     "Many people have come up to me and expressed their sadness at this
loss.  Just the other day, I received a letter from the members of the Safe
Food Coalition asking that I pass along their condolences as well.

     "Food safety compliance officers perform one of the most important
functions in public service, protecting the American people where they are
largely powerless to protect themselves.  Jean Hillery, Tom Quadros and Bill
Shaline did the people's work.  And over this holiday weekend, as we grill our
steaks, chicken and burgers, I hope we'll all remember that it's the efforts
of these three people   and the thousands of others like them   that ensures
the safety of the food we serve to our families.

     "And while their work is absolutely critical, rarely do we think of it
as dangerous and life-threatening.  Which makes last week's tragedy all the
more shocking and unsettling.  It's cruelly ironic that, in the process of
protecting the lives of the American people, their own lives were taken from
them   violently and needlessly.

     "All of them led lives of purpose and dedication, not just at their jobs
but within their families and their communities.  Whether it was Jean Hillery
going to college and beginning a new career after raising three daughters, or
Tom Quadros' work with the Special Olympics, it's clear that these were more
than distinguished public servants...they were extraordinary people as well.

     "Yesterday, back at USDA headquarters, I gave a speech about civil
rights at our Department.  And although I talked some about programs and
procedures, the message I really tried to convey was that civil rights and
human rights begin with people simply treating each other with respect and
common courtesy.  This tragedy is not about race or civil rights in any way,
but I think it can still teach a lesson about civility and decency, about open
communication and the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and
sensibly.  Jean Hillery, Tom Quadros and Bill Shaline lived those values, but
they died because some people still do not.

     "I want to close with a message to their children.  Last December, I
lost both of my parents, within just a few weeks of each other.  They were
old, and they were sick.  But I'm immensely grateful that they lived into
their 80's and that I was able to enjoy them for 55 years of my life.  I can't
imagine the pain you must feel at losing parents in the prime of their lives. 
But I hope that you measure their time in terms of quality rather than
quantity...always remembering that their lives, though short, were ones of
both accomplishment and integrity. 

 "Thank you".  

                                 


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