[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1993)]
[Page 1807]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Appointment for Chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights

 September 17, 1993

    The President today announced his appointment of Mary Frances Berry 
to be Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Berry is the first 
woman to be appointed to the chair since its inception.
    Ms. Berry, the senior member of the commission, having served as 
Vice-Chair under President Carter, is currently the Geraldine R. Segal 
professor of American social thought and professor of history at the 
University of Pennsylvania.
    ``Mary Frances Berry is a civil rights scholar as well as an 
advocate,'' said the President. ``I am proud to make this historic 
nomination, and I have every confidence in the commitment and abilities 
of Ms. Berry. Her distinguished life and career uniquely qualify her for 
this new leadership role.''

Note: A biography of the appointee was made available by the Office of 
the Press Secretary.