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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 22, 1995

            PRESIDENT CLINTON NOMINATES JIM SASSER TO BE AMBASSADOR 
                       TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

The President today nominated former Tennessee Senator Jim Sasser as Ambassador to the People's Republic of China.

"I can't imagine a more challenging and fascinating opportunity than to represent my country as Ambassador to the People's Republic of China at this dynamic moment," said Sasser. "I'm honored at the confidence and trust the President has expressed in me. And, if confirmed by the Senate, I will carry out my duties as Ambassador with enthusiasm and dedication."

Sasser, 59, was an 18-year veteran of the Senate, and served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He also chaired several subcommittees of the Appropriations and Banking Committees.

Sasser began his legal career with the Nashville firm of Goodpasture, Carpenter, Woods & Sasser. He served as state Democratic Party Chairman from 1973 until his election to the Senate in 1976. After leaving the Senate, he was named a Fellow at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

Jim Sasser was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in rural West Tennessee. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt School of Law. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1957 to 1963. He served on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution from 1987 to 1995. He is married to the former Mary Gorman of Lexington, Kentucky. They have two children, Gray, currently attending Vanderbilt University School of Law, and Elizabeth, a graduate of Duke University.

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