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Exhibit 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Joe R. Lee, Clarence Otis, Jr. and Paula J.
Shives, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his or
her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 relating to the registration of debt securities of Darden
Restaurants, Inc., and any and all amendments (or post-effective amendments)
thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and with such
state commissions and other agencies as necessary, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as might or could
be done in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated as of June 22, 2000
Signature Title
--------- -----
/s/ Daniel B. Burke Director
-----------------------------
Daniel B. Burke
/s/ Odie C. Donald Director
-----------------------------
Odie C. Donald
Director
-----------------------------
Julius Erving, II
/s/ Michael D. Rose Director
-----------------------------
Michael D. Rose
/s/ Hector de J. Ruiz Director
-----------------------------
Hector de J. Ruiz
/s/ Maria A. Sastre Director
-----------------------------
Maria A. Sastre
/s/ Jack A. Smith Director
-----------------------------
Jack A. Smith
/s/ Rita P. Wilson Director
-----------------------------
Rita P. Wilson
/s/ Bradley D. Blum Director and President, Olive Garden
-----------------------------
Bradley D. Blum
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Signature Title
--------- -----
/s/ Joe R. Lee Director, Chairman of the Board and
----------------------------- Chief Executive Officer (principal
Joe R. Lee executive officer)
/s/ Richard E. Rivera Director and President, Red Lobster
-----------------------------
Richard E. Rivera
/s/ Blaine Sweatt, III Director and President, New Business
----------------------------- Development
Blaine Sweatt, III
/s/ Clarence Otis, Jr. Senior Vice President - Chief Financial
----------------------------- Officer (principal financial and
Clarence Otis, Jr. principal accounting officer)
