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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 19, 1998

               PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES SAUL RAMIREZ, JR., 
               DEPUTY SECRETARY AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 
                     HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

The President today announced his intent to nominate Mayor Saul Ramirez, Jr. to serve as Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mayor Saul Ramirez, Jr., of Laredo, Texas, has served as Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since 1997. In this position he is responsible for the Department's major programs, encompassing federal neighborhood revitalization, economic development, housing and homelessness within the Department. From 1990 to 1997, Mayor Ramirez was the Mayor of Laredo, Texas. As Mayor he created the Laredo Affordable Housing Corporation as a vehicle to build affordable housing utilizing Community Development Block Grant funds for infrastructure construction. He also developed a partnership to provide interim financing for the Laredo Housing Authority creating additional home ownership opportunities for tenants. In addition to his duties as Mayor, Mayor Ramirez served as a Board Member for the Southwest Region of Fannie Mae. He began his career in local government in 1982, as a Laredo City Council Member. He served two consecutive four-year terms on the Council.

The Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for the majority of the administration for the Department's pivotal programs, including, housing, community development, and fair housing. The Deputy Secretary serves as the chief operating officer as well as handling the day to day operations for the Department.

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