MARTINEZ APPLAUDS SENATE CONFIRMATION OF TOP HUD NOMINEES

en español

WASHINGTON - The U. S. Senate yesterday confirmed President Bush's nominees to fill four top management positions at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Senate confirmed: Alphonso Jackson to become HUD's Deputy Secretary; John C. Weicher to become Federal Housing Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of Housing; Syracuse Mayor Roy A. Bernardi to become Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development; and, Richard A. Hauser to become the agency's General Counsel.

"I'm excited about this solid management team we have in place to do the important work we were brought here to do," said HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. "This group of individuals brings a wealth of experience that will help the agency meet its core missions."

Jackson comes to HUD with extensive housing experience as the former president and chief executive officer of the Dallas Housing Authority. He also held similar positions in
St. Louis and Washington, DC.

Weicher was Senior Fellow and Director of Urban Policy Studies at the Hudson Institute. Between 1989 and 1993, he served as HUD's Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.

Bernardi was first elected Mayor of Syracuse in 1993 and has since help target HUD's block grant programs to meet housing and economic development needs in his community.

Hauser was practicing law with Baker & Hostetler in Washington, DC. Prior to his private legal practice, he served as Deputy White House Counsel from 1981 to 1986.

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