[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 13873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5775]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


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

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: Executive Order No. 13168 published September 22, 2000, 
established the President's Commission on Improving Economic 
Opportunity in Communities Dependent on Tobacco Production While 
Protecting Public Health (Commission). This notice announces that the 
Commission will conduct a public meeting on March 20, 2001. The purpose 
of the meeting will be to review comments received on the Commission's 
Preliminary Report since its February 21, 2001, meeting and to finalize 
recommendations from tobacco, economic development, and health working 
groups in preparation for work on the Commission's Final Report.

DATES: The Commission will meet on March 20, 2001, from 1 p.m. to 6 
p.m. at 2101 L Street, NW., Room 303A, Washington, DC. If special 
accommodations are required, please contact Doug Richardson, at the 
address specified below, by COB March 16, 2001. All times are Eastern 
Standard Time. All 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, DC, 20250-0574 or 
telephone (202) 418-4266 or toll free (866) 804-6698; FAX (202) 418-
4270; Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Commission is to advise 
the President on changes occurring in the tobacco farming economy and 
recommend such measures as may be necessary to improve economic 
opportunity and development in communities that are dependent on 
tobacco production, while protecting consumers, particularly children, 
from hazards associated with smoking. The Commission collected and 
reviewed information about changes in the tobacco farming economy and 
Federal, State, and local initiatives intended to help tobacco growers, 
tobacco quota holders, and communities dependent on tobacco production 
pursue new economic opportunities. The Commission issued its 
Preliminary Report on January 26, 2001, with comments requested through 
March 8, 2001. Copies of the Preliminary Report are available on the 
Commission's website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/tobcom/ or by 
contacting the Commission's office at the contact information listed 
above. All comments received through February 20, 2001, with respect to 
the Preliminary Report were reviewed by the Commission in its public 
meeting conducted on February 21, 2001.
    The Commission, in its February 21, 2001, meeting, also reviewed 
draft recommendations from three working groups representing the farm, 
economic development and health areas of the Commission. After this 
review, the Commission directed that each working group revise their 
recommendations based on input received from the meeting and other 
recommendations to the Commission.
    The purpose of the March 20, 2001, meeting is to review additional 
public input received on the Preliminary Report and to review the 
revised reports from the tobacco, economic development and health 
working groups in order to prepare the Final Report to the President.
    Written comments may be sent to the contact person listed above.

    Signed at Washington, D.C. on March 5, 2001.
James R. Little,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 01-5775 Filed 3-5-01; 4:24 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P