THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES DR. NILS J. DIAZ AND EDWARD McGAFFIGAN,

JR. AS MEMBERS OF THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

President Clinton today announced his intention to nominate Dr. Nils J. Diaz of Gainsville, Florida and Edward McGaffigan, Jr. of Arlington, Virginia, as Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Dr. Diaz is presently Professor of Nuclear Engineering Sciences at the University of Florida and Director of the Innovative Nuclear Space Power and Propulsion Institute (INSPI) for the Ballistic Missile Defense Initiative. He has served also as President and Principal Engineer of Florida Nuclear Associates since 1976. Dr. Diaz has over 25 years of combined experience in nuclear areas pertaining to education, the nuclear power industry, and medical applications of radiation. Dr. Diaz's experience includes serving as principal consultant to the Chairman of Spain's Nuclear Regulatory Commission and as Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Diaz holds a M.S. and Ph.D. in Nuclear Sciences from the University of Florida and a B.S. Degree from the University of Villanova, Cuba. He was named Hispanic Engineer of the Year for Outstanding Technical Contributions in 1990.

Mr. McGaffigan is currently senior policy advisor to Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and has worked in his office since 1983. His responsibilities for Senator Bingaman have included national security, science and technology and government-wide research and development issues. Prior to joining Senator Bingaman's staff, Mr. McGaffigan served in the Foreign Service for almost seven years. In an overseas assignment, Mr. McGaffigan served as a science attache in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow where he worked on foster cooperation on nuclear energy matters. Mr. McGaffigan holds a M.S. degree in physics from California Institute of Technology and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He also received his B.S. in physics from Harvard University.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is responsible for ensuring adequate protection of the public health and safety, the common defense and security, and the environment with respect to the use of nuclear materials for civilian purposes in the United States. Activities licensed and regulated by the Commission include commercial nuclear power reactors, non-power research, test and training reactors, fuel cycle facilities, medical, academic and industrial uses of nuclear materials, and the transportation, storage and disposal of nuclear materials and waste.

-30-30-30-