THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                        (Little Rock, Arkansas)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                 September 25, 1997

               PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES PETER FRANCIS TUFO 
                     AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO HUNGARY

President Clinton today announced his intent to nominate Peter F. Tufo to be United States Ambassador to Hungary.

Mr. Tufo, of New York, a lawyer and investment banker, is now with the law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy in New York City, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Tufo was also a Managing Director for Merrill Lynch Investment Banking until 1996, where he advised clients on international corporate and infrastructure financing in developing nations. He has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and intertwined his professional life with public service. Early in his career he led investigations into corruption in city government as chief counsel to the NYC Department of Investigation, and he served as Assistant to the Mayor of New York City. In 1975, he was appointed Chairman of the New York City Board of Corrections, where he had oversight responsibilities for major aspects of the criminal justice system for ten years. From 1989 to 1996, Mr. Tufo was Chairman and CEO of the New York State Thruway Authority, the largest toll road, bridge, and canal system in the United States.

Mr. Tufo is actively engaged in a variety of civic and charitable activities. He has been a director of public companies and has held numerous board positions with civic and education institutions. In addition, Mr. Tufo has received many awards and commendations including an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree from the Graduate School of the City University in New York in recognition of his public service. He received his B.A. from Beloit College in 1959 and his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1962.

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