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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release July 30, 1994

        PRESIDENT NAMES THE FIRST HISPANIC, GIL CORONADO, TO BE 
             THE DIRECTOR OF THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM

      President Clinton today announced his intent to nominate Gil

Coronado, a Vietnam veteran, as the first Hispanic Director of the Selective Service System.

Mr. Coronado, a native of San Antonio, Texas, is currently the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He previously served on President Clinton's Pentagon Transition Team. Prior to that, he had a 30-year career in the military starting as an enlistee in the Air Force at age 16 and retiring as a Colonel in the Air Force. He also spent part of his career with the Army. During his career, he served as an Air Force Inspector General, commanded a number of large units (including Torrejon Air Base in Spain), and worked in Europe and Latin America. He has received a large number of awards, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star for his years of service in the military. In addition to his military career, Mr. Coronado has been an active member of the Hispanic community.

The Selective Service System is an independent agency whose Director is appointed by the President and subject to Senate confirmation. The mission of the agency is "to deliver untrained manpower to the armed forces in time of emergency in accordance with requirements established by the Department of Defense, and to administer the alternative service program for conscientious objectors." Recently, the President stated his strong support for continuation of the Selective Service.

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