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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 2, 1994

Statement by the Press Secretary

President Clinton today appointed Patricia S. Fleming to serve as interim National AIDS Policy Coordinator.

Fleming, currently special assistant to Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala, will serve until a permanent coordinator takes office.

"This Administration has made significant strides in the fight against this terrible epidemic. We've increased our budgets for AIDS research, treatment and prevention, and have fought hard to provide health insurance for all Americans, regardless of preexisting conditions. Patsy Fleming will make sure we don't lose our momentum," said the President.

Fleming, who served as administrative assistant to the late Representative Ted Weiss (D-NY), specializing in AIDS and public health issues, said she will return to HHS once a permanent AIDS policy coordinator takes office. Fleming said she expects the interim appointment will last less than two months and that she is not a candidate for the permanent appointment.

Next week Fleming will represent the Administration at the Tenth International Conference on AIDS in Yokohama, Japan.

"Though we've made considerable progress in coming to grips with this epidemic, much more remains to be done," Fleming said. "I'm pleased to accept this appointment to help smooth the transition to a permanent AIDS policy coordinator."

Added Secretary Shalala, "Patsy Fleming has been an invaluable member of our HHS team. I know that she will be a tremendous asset to the AIDS office during this interim period."

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