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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 3, 2000

PRESIDENT NAMES ELLA WONG-RUSINKO AS ALTERNATE FEDERAL CO-CHAIR OF

THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION

The President today announced the recess appointment of Ella Wong-Rusinko to serve as Alternate Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Ms. Wong-Rusinko was nominated on March 23, 2000 and her nomination is currently pending before the Senate.

Ms. Ella Wong-Rusinko, of Arlington, Virginia, has been serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Liaison, Program Research and Evaluation in the Economic Development Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce since late 1993. In 1993, Ms. Rusinko was Executive Assistant to Congressman Gene Green, completing sixteen years of service with the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1984 to 1993, Ms. Rusinko served as Chief of Staff to Former Congressman Albert Bustamante. From 1977 to 1984, Ms. Rusinko served as Legislative Liaison Assistant in the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice. From 1970 to 1977, Ms. Rusinko was Casework and General Operations Manager for former Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez.

She received a B.A. from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was established in 1965 to assist in the development of the 13 states that have counties that fall within the Appalachian region. ARC encourages Congress and the President to assist in the economic development and growth in the region. ARC reports to the President and to Congress on its activities each year. Without an Alternate Federal Co-Chair, the ARC is greatly hindered in fulfilling its mission.

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