Nomination of Clarence Thomas To Be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The President today announced his intention to nominate Clarence Thomas to be a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 1986. He would succeed Eleanor Holmes Norton. Upon confirmation, the President intends to designate Mr. Thomas Chairman.

Mr. Thomas is currently serving as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Education. He was legislative assistant to Senator John C. Danforth (R-Mo.) in 1979-81; an attorney at the Monsanto Co. in 1977-79; and Assistant Attorney General of Missouri in 1974-77.

Mr. Thomas graduated from Holy Cross College and is a member of the board of trustees of that institution. He also graduated from Yale Law School (J.D., 1974). He was born June 23, 1948, in Savannah, Ga.