THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release April 14, 1993

CLINTON NAMES AVENT AS LIAISON TO DC AREA GOVERNMENTS

(Washington, DC) President Clinton has named Loretta Avent, his Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs, to be the White House Liaison to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), the White House announced today.

"Too often in the past, the federal government has not been a very good neighbor to the rest of the Washington area," said the President. "I am committed to changing that relationship, and have full confidence in Loretta's ability to act effectively to make the White House a full partner in the affairs of the region where we live."

COG is the regional organization of the Washington area's major local governments and their governing officials. It works toward solutions to such regional problems as growth, transportation, inadequate housing, air pollution, water supply, water quality, economic development and noise, and serves as the regional planning organization for Metropolitan Washington.

Avent has almost 30 years of experience working for local and national organizations representing state and local governments, most recently for the National Association of Counties. She has also worked for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the National Governors' Association, as well as for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing, and the American Institute of Planners. She was also President of her own political consulting firm, with a wide range of clients.

Additionally, Avent, who grew up in the District of Columbia, who has served on the staff of COG on two occaisions. She helped developed and implemented the organization's metro area-wide citizen participation program. Later, she developed and implemented a minority real estate program for the region.

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