AGREEMENT This will confirm the Agreement by and among all the undersigned that the Schedule 13D filed on or about this date with respect to the beneficial ownership of the undersigned of Units representing Class A limited partnership interests in...

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                    AGREEMENT

        This will confirm the Agreement by and among all the undersigned that
the Schedule 13D filed on or about this date with respect to the beneficial
ownership of the undersigned of Units representing Class A limited partnership
interests in Heartland Partners, L.P. is being filed, and all further amendments
thereto will be filed, jointly on behalf of each of the persons and entities
named below for all purposes specified in such Schedule 13D, as so amended. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

Dated:  July 6, 1990
                                           ODYSSEY PARTNERS, L.P.

                                           By:      /s/ Xxxx Xxxx
                                              -------------------------------
                                                   Xxxx Xxxx

                                                   /s/ Xxxx Xxxx
                                              -------------------------------
                                                   Xxxx Xxxx

                                                   /s/ Xxxx Xxxx
                                              -------------------------------
                                                   Xxxx Xxxx

                                                   /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
                                              -------------------------------
                                                   Xxxx Xxxxxx

                                                   /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx*
                                              -------------------------------
                                                   Xxxxx Xxxxx

                                           THE SHARP FOUNDATION*

                                           By:     /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
                                              -------------------------------
                                                   Xxxxx Xxxxx

                                           ZILKHA & SONS, INC.

                                           By:     /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
                                              -------------------------------
                                                   Xxxx Xxxxxx

*Has previously withdrawn from the Schedule 13D group.


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