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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release April 7, 1999

                       VICE PRESIDENT GORE NAMES
                   NEW DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Waterloo, IA -- Vice President Gore announced today that he has named Melissa Bonney Ratcliff, formerly the Press Secretary for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), as his new Deputy Communications Director.

"I am very pleased that Melissa has agreed to serve as my Deputy Communications Director," the Vice President said. "Her proven experience, her contacts with reporters across the country, and her acumen will prove a great addition to my talented communications team."

Before working at the DNC, Ms. Ratcliff served as the Press Secretary for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she helped develop and implement the agency's national message strategy.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Ratcliff also served as a volunteer in 1996 for the Democratic National Convention press office and the Clinton-Gore transition office in 1993. She worked in the press office of the National Abortion Rights Action League from 1991 to 1993.

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