Also . . .

President Clinton announced that three businesses, including Boeing Co.’s Long Beach-based Boeing Airlift & Tanker Programs, were named the 1998 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for excellence. The Airlift & Tanker Programs builds the C-17 Globemaster III for the U.S. Air Force and also is responsible for aerial tanker and Air Force and Navy airlift programs. The award, named for the former Commerce secretary, recognizes quality achievements of U.S. companies. The Boeing unit employs more than 8,500 in Long Beach. Other companies honored were Texas Nameplate Co. of Dallas and Solar Turbines Inc. of San Diego. Clinton praised the winners “for their commitment to, and aggressive pursuit of, excellence.”