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                                                                  Exhibit 10.19

                           GRANITE BROADCASTING CORPORATION
                             DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN

                        As amended through February 25, 1997 

                                      ARTICLE I

                                       GENERAL

1.01.    Purpose.  The purpose of the Granite Broadcasting Corporation
Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to promote the overall financial
objectives of Granite Broadcasting Corporation (the "Company") and its
stockholders by aligning the interests of the Company's stockholders and its
Non-Employee Directors (as defined in Article IV) through the grant of options
to acquire shares of the Company's Common Stock (Nonvoting), par value $.01 per
share, and any other stock or security resulting from the adjustment thereof or
substitution therefor pursuant to Section 8.02 ("Common Stock (Nonvoting)"). 
The Plan is also intended to attract and retain well-qualified persons for
service as Non-Employee Directors.  The Plan is designed to comply with the
provisions of Rule 16b-3 ("Rule 16b-3") promulgated under Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

1.02.    Options.  For the purposes of the Plan, the right to acquire a
specified number of shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) at a stated price in
accordance with the terms of this Plan and an Option Agreement (as defined in
Section 6.02) shall be referred to as an "Option."  Options granted under the
Plan will not qualify as "Incentive Stock Options" within the meaning of Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

1.03.    Effective Date of Plan.  This Plan shall become effective on March 1,
1994 (the "Effective Date"); provided, however, that the approval by a majority
(or such other proportion  as may be required by state law or the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company) of the outstanding shares of Voting Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Voting Common Stock"), voted
either in person or by proxy, at a duly held stockholders meeting or by written
consent is obtained within twelve (12) months of such adoption.

                                      ARTICLE II

                              ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

    The Plan shall be implemented and administered by the Board.  Subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Board shall have the power to construe
the provisions of the Plan, to determine all questions arising thereunder, and
to adopt and 

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amend such rules and regulations for administering the Plan as the
Board deems desirable.  In construing, amending and administering the Plan, the
Board shall have full and final discretion in all of its actions under the Plan
only to the extent consistent with Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(ii) promulgated under the
Exchange Act.  All expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the
Company.

                                     ARTICLE III

                              STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.01.    Number of Shares.  The stock subject to the Options granted under this
Plan shall be the Common Stock (Nonvoting).  Under the Plan, Options may be
granted to purchase up to 300,000 shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting), subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 8.02.  The shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting)
to be issued upon the exercise of Options may be authorized but unissued shares,
or shares issued and reacquired by the Company.

3.02.    Release of Shares.  If any Option granted hereunder shall be
cancelled, expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in
full, the shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) subject to such Option shall
thereafter again be available to be granted under the Plan.

3.03.    Stockholder Rights.  No person shall have any rights of a stockholder
of the Company with respect to shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) subject to an
Option until, after proper exercise of the Option, such shares have been
recorded on the Company's official stockholder records as having been issued or
transferred to the party exercising the Option.  No adjustment shall be made for
dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such
shares are recorded as issued or transferred (to the party exercising the
Option) in the Company's official stockholder records, except as provided in
Section 8.02.  The Company shall cause its transfer agent to record the shares
as issued or transferred.

3.04.    Stock Valuation.  If and when the value or closing price of Common
Stock (Nonvoting) shall be required to be determined, it shall be the closing
price reported on the NASDAQ National Market or the principal securities
exchange on which the Common Stock (Nonvoting) may then be traded, as the case
may be, or, if there is no such sale on the relevant date, then on the last
previous day on which a sale was reported (which value or closing price shall be
referred to herein as the "Fair Market Value per share," or for a group of
shares, as the total "Fair Market Value").


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                                      ARTICLE IV

                                     ELIGIBILITY

    Each member of the Board who is not an employee, either full-time or
part-time, of the Company (each a "Non-Employee Director") shall be eligible to
receive Options to purchase shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) in accordance
with Article V.  A person to whom an Option hereunder is granted shall be
referred to hereinafter as an "Optionee" and such term shall include any person
who is appointed as a guardian of the Optionee's estate, any legal
representative of the Optionee's estate and any person to whom the Option is
transferred pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

                                      ARTICLE V

                                   GRANT OF OPTIONS

5.01.    Director Service Awards.

    (a)  During the five (5) day period commencing on the Effective Date, each
Director shall have the right to make an irrevocable three-year election to
receive Options as compensation payable to such Director for attendance at
regular quarterly meetings ("Regular Board Meetings") of the Board (an "Option
Election").  Each Director making an Option Election shall receive an Option to
purchase 10,800 shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) ("1994 Awards") in lieu of
the cash compensation that he would otherwise receive for attending Regular
Board Meetings during the period from and including the Effective Date until the
earlier to occur of: (i) termination of such Director's membership on the Board
("Completion of Service"); or (ii) the day immediately preceding the next
Triennial Period Commencement Date (as defined below) (the "Triennial Period
Completion Date").  Each Director who received 1994 Awards shall be granted an
Option, dated July 25, 1995, to purchase 3,600 shares of Common Stock
(Nonvoting) ("1995 Awards"), which number of shares equals 600 multiplied by the
number of Regular Board Meetings from July 24, 1995 until the next occurring
Triennial Period Completion Date, as compensation for attendance at Regular
Board Meetings during the period from and including the Date of Grant of the
Option until the earlier to occur of: (i) his or her Completion of Service; or
(ii) the next occurring Triennial Completion Date.  On February 25, 1997 and
each third year anniversary thereof (each of such dates and the Effective Date,
a "Triennial Period Commencement Date"), each Director then in office shall be
granted an Option to purchase 18,000 shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting), which
Option shall serve as the Director's Compensation for attendance at Regular
Board Meetings during the period from and including the Date of Grant of the
Option until the earlier to occur of: (i) his or her Completion of Service; or
(ii) the next occurring Triennial Completion Date. 

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Any compensation for attendance at any other meetings of the Board shall be 
only in cash.

    (b)  Each person who first becomes a Director after the Effective Date
(other than on a Triennial Period Commencement Date) shall be granted, on the
date such Director is first elected a Director of the Company, an Option to
purchase a number of shares equal to: 1,500 multiplied by the number of Regular
Board Meetings scheduled from the date of his or her commencement of service as
a Director until the next occurring Triennial Period Completion Date, which
Option shall serve as the Director's compensation for attendance at Regular
Board Meetings during the period from and including his or her election as a
Director until the earlier to occur of: (i) his or her Completion of Service; or
(ii) the next occurring Triennial Period Completion Date.

5.02.    Committee Service Awards.

    (a)  On the Effective Date and on the first anniversary of the Effective
Date, each Director shall be granted an Option to purchase 400 shares of Common
Stock (Nonvoting) (an "Annual Committee Award") as compensation for service on
each committee of the Board on which he or she serves, if any.

    (b)  On July 25, 1995, each Director who is then a member of the Company's
Audit Committee or Compensation Committee (each such Committee and only such
Committees being a "Board Committee") shall be granted an Option to purchase
6,000 shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) (a "1995 Committee Award") for service
on each Board Committee on which he or she is a member.  On each Triennial
Period Commencement Date (other than the Effective Date), each Director who is
then a member of a Board Committee shall be granted an Option to purchase 9,000
shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) for service on each Board Committee on which
he or she is a member.  Each person who becomes a member of a specific Board
Committee for the first time after July 25, 1995 (other than on a Triennial
Period Commencement Date), shall be granted an Option to purchase a number of
shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) equal to 9,000 minus 1,500 multiplied by the
number of complete 180 day periods from the Triennial Period Commencement Date
immediately preceding the Date of Grant of such Option until the Date of Grant. 
All Options granted pursuant to this Section 5.02(b) shall serve as compensation
to Board Committee members for attendance at Regularly Scheduled Committee
Meetings of the Board Committee for which the Option was granted occurring from
the Date of Grant of such Options until the earlier to occur of: (i) termination
of such Director's membership on the Board Committee; or (ii) the next occurring
Triennial Completion Date.  For purposes of this Plan, Regularly Scheduled
Committee Meetings shall mean up to two meetings per calendar year of a Board
Committee occurring on, or within 30 days' prior to, a Regular Board Meeting. 

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                                      ARTICLE VI

                           TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

6.01.    Exercise Price.  The price per share of each share of Common Stock
(Nonvoting) purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be the Fair Market
Value per share of the Common Stock (Nonvoting) on the date the Option is
granted (the "Date of Grant").

6.02.    Option Agreement.  Each Option granted under this Plan shall be
evidenced by an option agreement (an "Option Agreement"), which shall embody the
terms and conditions of such Option and which shall be subject to the express
terms and conditions set forth in the Plan.

6.03.    Term of Option; Exercisability.

    (a)  With respect to all awards granted on or prior to the initial
Triennial Period Completion Date (other than Annual Committee Awards), subject
to the provisions of Articles VII and IX and Section 8.02, on the first
anniversary of the date of attendance, in person, at each Regular Board Meeting
or Regularly Scheduled Committee Meeting, as applicable, held prior to the
Triennial Period Completion Date for the period covered by such award, Options
to purchase 1,500 (900 shares with respect to the 1994 Grants and 600 shares
with respect to the 1995 Grants) shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) shall become
fully exercisable.  All Annual Committee Service Awards shall become fully
exercisable on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant thereof.

    (b)  With respect to all awards granted on or after the second Triennial
Period Commencement Date, subject to the provisions of Article VII and IX and
Section 8.02, Options to purchase 1,500 shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) shall
become fully exercisable on the date of attendance, in person, at each Regular
Board Meeting or Regularly Scheduled Committee Meeting, as applicable, held
prior to the Triennial Completion Date for the period covered by the award.

    (c)  In addition, subject to the provisions of Articles VII and IX and
Section 8.02, Options granted pursuant to Section 5.01 (other than 1995 Awards)
to purchase 500 shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) shall become fully
exercisable on the date of attendance (or the first anniversary of the date of
attendance with respect to 1994 Awards) by telephonic means at a Regular Board
Meeting of duration longer than 30 minutes held prior to the Triennial
Completion Date for the period covered by the Options.

    (d)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
6.03, no Options shall become exercisable prior to the amendment of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation to 

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increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) to at 
least 30,000,000 shares.  Once exercisable, all Options, unless earlier 
terminated pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, shall remain exercisable 
until ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the "Option Period").  An 
exercisable Option, or portion thereof, may be exercised in whole or in part 
only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting).

    (e)  All Options (whenever granted, that could become exercisable as a
result of attendance at a future Regular Board Meeting or Regularly Scheduled
Committee Meeting or that, upon the passage of time following attendance at a
prior Regular Board Meeting or Regularly Scheduled Committee Meeting, would
become exercisable) shall become immediately exercisable upon: (i) the death or
disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) of such Optionee; and
(ii) the occurrence of a "Change of Control."  For purposes hereof, a "Change of
Control" shall occur on the date on which W. Don Cornwell no longer owns,
beneficially, in excess of 50% of the issued and outstanding Class A Common
Stock of the Company."

6.04.    Method of Exercise.  An Option may be exercised: (i) by giving written
notice to the Company's Secretary at the Company's main office, 767 Third
Avenue, New York, New York 10019 (or any office which is the successor main
office or which is otherwise designated as the office to which such notice is to
be given), specifying the number of whole shares to be purchased and accompanied
by payment therefor in full in a method provided in Section 6.05 below; and (ii)
by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request to satisfy the
Optionee's obligations under the Plan and the Option Agreement.  No shares of
Common Stock (Nonvoting) shall be issued until the full purchase price therefor
has been paid and the withholding obligations described in Article XII have been
satisfied.  The Company shall deliver to the Optionee (or to such other person)
at the principal office of the Company, or such other place as shall be mutually
agreed upon, a certificate or certificates for the shares being purchased;
provided, however, that the time of delivery may be postponed by the Company for
such period as may be required for it, with reasonable diligence, to comply with
any requirements of the law.  Pursuant to Article IX, the Company may also
require that, at the time of exercise, each Optionee deliver an investment
representation, in form acceptable to the Company and its counsel, that the
shares are being acquired for investment and not with a view to their
distribution.

6.05.    Method of Payment.  The purchase price of the shares of Common Stock
(Nonvoting) as to which an Option shall be exercised, shall be paid to the
Company: (i) in cash; (ii) in previously owned whole shares of Common Stock
(Nonvoting)(for which the director has good title free and clear of all liens
and encumbrances) having a Fair Market Value determined as of the date of
exercise; or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii).

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6.06.    Non-assignability.  Except to the extent specifically provided in
Section 7.01 below or in a domestic relations order which is determined to be a
qualified domestic relations order described in the Code or in Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, Options are not
transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and
are exercisable during an Optionee's lifetime only by the Optionee (including
the duly appointed guardian of the estate of the Optionee).

                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     TERMINATION

7.01.    Disability or Death. If a Non-Employee Director's directorship
terminates by reason of Disability (as defined herein) or death, any Option
granted under the Plan and held by the Non-Employee Director may thereafter be
exercised by such Director (or the duly appointed guardian of the director's
estate or the legal representative of the director's estate or the person to
whom the Option is transferred pursuant to applicable laws of descent and
distribution) at any time prior to the earlier to occur of six (6) months after
the date of such termination of the Non-Employee's Director's directorship and
the expiration of the Option Period, but, subject to Section 6.03(e), only to
the extent of the number of shares for which Options were then exercisable by
him on the date of termination.  If a Non-Employee Director dies during the six
(6) month period following termination of such director's directorship by reason
of Disability, any Option held by the Non-Employee Director may thereafter be
exercised by the legal representative of the Director's estate (or the person to
whom the Option is transferred pursuant to applicable laws of descent and
distribution) for a period of six (6) months from the date of death.  A
Disability shall mean a permanent physical or mental incapacity which, in the
reasonable determination of the Board, renders the Optionee unable to perform
the duties of a director of the Company.

7.02.    Other Termination.  If a Non-Employee Director's directorship
terminates for any reason other than Disability or death, any Option held by the
Non-Employee Director (excluding any Option which, as of the date of the
termination of directorship, was not then exercisable) may thereafter be
exercised at any time prior to the first to occur of ninety (90) days after such
date and the expiration of the Option Period.

7.03.    Automatic Termination.  Any Option or any portion thereof that does
not become exercisable within four (4) years after the Date of Grant thereof
shall automatically terminate on such fourth anniversary of the Date of Grant.


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                                     ARTICLE VIII

                          PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PLAN

8.01.    Duration of the Plan.  The Plan shall continue in effect until it is
terminated by action of the Board, but such termination shall not affect the
terms of any then-outstanding Options.

8.02.    Adjustments.

    (a)  Changes to Capital Structure; Need for Adjustment.  The existence of
outstanding Options shall not affect in any way the right or power of the
Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments,
recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the Company's capital
structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any
issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or
affecting the Common Stock (Nonvoting) or the rights thereof, or the dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its
assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a
similar character or otherwise.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided in Sections (b) or (c) of this
Section 8.02, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property,
or for labor or services either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights
or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations
of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not
affect or necessitate any adjustment to the number, class or price of shares of
Common Stock (Nonvoting) then subject to outstanding Options.

    (b)  Adjustment of Options on Recapitalization.  The aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) for which Options may be granted to persons
participating under the Plan, the number of shares covered by each outstanding
option, and the exercise price per share for each such option shall be
proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting) of the Company resulting from the subdivision
or consolidation of shares, or the payment of a stock dividend after the
effective date of this Plan, or any other distribution to all holders of Common
Stock (Nonvoting) other than normal cash dividends; provided, however, that any
Options to purchase fractional shares resulting from any such adjustment shall
be eliminated.

    (c)  Adjustment of Options Upon Reorganization.

         (i)  If the Company shall at any time merge or consolidate with or
into another corporation and (A) the Company is not the surviving entity, or (B)
the Company is the surviving 

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entity and the shareholders of Common Stock (Nonvoting) are required to 
exchange their shares for property and/or securities, the  holder of each 
Option will thereafter receive, upon the exercise thereof, the securities 
and/or property to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock 
(Nonvoting) then deliverable upon the exercise of such Option would have been 
entitled upon such merger or consolidation, and the Company shall take such 
steps in connection with such merger or consolidation as may be necessary to 
assure that the provisions of this Plan shall thereafter be applicable, as 
nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any securities or property 
thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of such Option.

         (ii) The resulting corporation following any reorganization may at any
time, in its sole discretion, tender substitute options as it may deem
appropriate.  However, in no event may the substitute options entitle an
Optionee under the Plan to any fewer shares (or at any greater aggregate price)
or any less other property than the Optionee would be entitled to under the
immediately preceding paragraph upon an exercise of the Options held prior to
the substitution of the new option.

8.03.    Amendments of the Plan.  The Board may amend this Plan as it shall
deem advisable, subject to any requirements of stockholder approval imposed by
applicable law; provided, however, that no amendment shall be made to any of
this Section 8.03, Articles IV or V or Sections 6.01, 6.02, or 6.03 more than
once every six months other than to comply with changes in the Code, the
Employment Retirement Income Securities Act, as amended, or the rules
thereunder, nor may the Plan be otherwise amended in a manner which fails to
comply with Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(ii)(B) promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange
Act.  No amendment may impair the rights of a holder of an outstanding Option
without the consent of such holder.

                                      ARTICLE IX

                                 REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

9.01.    The Company shall not be required to sell or issue any shares upon the
exercise of any Option if the issuance of such shares shall constitute a
violation by the Optionee or the Company of any provision of any law, statute,
or regulation of any governmental authority whether it be Federal or State. 
Unless a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), with respect to the shares of Common Stock (Nonvoting)
covered by an Option, the Company shall not be required to issue shares upon
exercise of any Option unless: (i) the Company has received evidence
satisfactory to it to the effect that the holder of such Option is acquiring
such shares for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof; or
(ii) an opinion of counsel to the Company has been received by the Company, in a
form and substance which is deemed acceptable by the Company, to the effect that
a registration 

<PAGE>


statement is not required.  Any determination in this connection by the 
Company shall be final, binding and conclusive.  In the event the shares 
issuable on exercise of an Option are not registered under the Act, the 
Company may imprint the following legend or any other legend that counsel for 
the Company considers necessary or advisable to comply with the Act:

    "The shares of stock represented by this certificate have not been
    registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the securities
    laws of any State and may not be sold or transferred except pursuant
    to an effective registration statement or upon receipt by the
    Corporation of an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Corporation,
    in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation, that
    registration is not required for such sale or transfer."

    The Company may, but shall in no event be obligated to, register any
securities covered hereby pursuant to the Act and, in the event any shares are
so registered, the Company may remove any legend on certificates representing
such shares.  The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action
in order to cause the exercise of an Option or the issuance of shares pursuant
thereto to comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority.

                                      ARTICLE X

                                   USE OF PROCEEDS

10.01.   The proceeds of the sale of Common Stock (Nonvoting) pursuant to the
exercise of the Options will be used for the Company's general corporate
purposes.

                                      ARTICLE XI

                                INDEMNIFICATION OF THE
                                  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

11.01.   Each member of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Company for all loss, liabilities, costs and expenses (including the amount of
judgments and the amount of approved settlements made with a view to the
curtailment of costs of litigation, other than amounts paid to the Company
itself) reasonably incurred by him in connection with or arising out of any
action, suit, or proceeding regarding administration of the Plan in which he may
be involved by reason of his being or having been a member of the Board, whether
or not he continues to be a member of the Board at the time of incurring such
loss, liabilities, costs and expenses.  Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no
member of the Board shall be entitled to such indemnification from the Company
for any loss, liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by him: (i) in respect of
matters as to which he shall be finally adjudged in any such action, suit or


<PAGE>

proceeding to have been guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the
performance of his duty as a member of the Board; or (ii) in respect of any
matter in which any settlement is effected, to an amount in excess of the amount
approved by the Company on the advice of its legal counsel.  Moreover, no right
of indemnification under the provisions set forth herein shall be available to
or enforceable against the Company by any such member the Board unless, within
sixty (60) days after institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, he
shall have offered the Company, in writing, the opportunity to handle and defend
the same at its own expense.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors or administrators of each member of the
Board and shall be in addition to all other rights to which such member of the
Board may be entitled as a matter of law, contract or otherwise.

                                     ARTICLE XII

                                     WITHHOLDING

    The Company's obligation to deliver shares upon the exercise of any Option
hereunder shall be subject to applicable federal, state and local tax
withholding requirements.

                                     ARTICLE XIII

                                  GENERAL PROVISIONS

13.01.   Effect on Service.  Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation,
nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof)
shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue service as a member of
the Board.

13.02.   Unfunded Plan.  The Plan, insofar as it provides for grants, shall be
unfunded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may
at any time be represented by grants under this Plan.  Any liability of the
Company to any person with respect to any grant under this Plan shall be based
solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this
Plan.  No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any
pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.

13.03.   Rules of Construction.  Headings are given to the articles and
sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  The
reference to any statute, regulation, or other provision of law shall be
construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

13.04.   Applicable Law.  The Plan shall be construed, governed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to choice of
law principles.