THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                      (San Salvador, El Salvador)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                     March 10, 1999

                     PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES ANN LEWIS 
                       AS COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT, 
                LORETTA UCELLI AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

The President today announced the appointment of Ann Lewis as Counselor to the President, and Loretta Ucelli as Assistant to the President and Communications Director.

Ms. Lewis, currently Assistant to the President and Director of Communications, served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Director of Communications for the Clinton-Gore campaign during 1995 and 1996 before coming to the White House. She is a former political director for the Democratic National Committee and Chief of Staff to then-Congresswoman Barbara Mikulski.

As Counselor to the President, Ms. Lewis will work on a wide range of issues, including strategic planning and outreach. "Ann Lewis has been a valuable member of my communcations team since the 1996 Presidential campaign," President Clinton said. "As Counselor to the President, she will play a leading role in developing and articulating our adminstration's policies and priorities."

Ms. Ucelli was appointed as Associate Administrator for Communications, Education and Public Affairs at the Environmental Protection Agency in 1993, and acted as a senior advisor to EPA Administrator Carol Browner on communications, policy issues, and strategy. Previously, Ms. Ucelli directed communications at NARAL, the nation's leading advocate for reproductive rights. She was formerly Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications at the National Association of Broadcasters and Director of Communications at the American Federation of Government Employees.

"Loretta Ucelli will bring exceptionally strong communications skills and policy experience to the job of Communications Director," President Clinton said. "I can think of no better person than Loretta to convey our administration's vision for building a stronger nation in the 21st Century."

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