Nomination of Russell A. Rourke To Be Secretary of the Air Force

The President today announced his intention to nominate Russell A. Rourke to be Secretary of the Air Force. He would succeed Verne Orr.

Since 1981 Mr. Rourke has been serving as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs). Previously he was administrative assistant to Representative Harold S. Sawyer (R-MI) in 1977-1981. In 1976-1977 he served as Special Assistant to the President (Legislative Affairs). Mr. Rourke was Deputy to Presidential Counsellor John O. Marsh, Jr., in 1974-1976. In 1974 he was the Republican-Conservative nominee for Congress in the 36th District of New York. Mr. Rourke served in 1965-1974 as administrative assistant to Representative Henry P. Smith III (R-NY). In 1960-1964 he was administrative assistant to Representative John R. Pillion (R-NY). Mr. Rourke was associated with the firm of Keogh, Carey and Costello in 1959-1960.

He graduated from the University of Maryland (B.A., 1953) and Georgetown University Law Center (LL.B., 1959). He is married, has three children, and resides in Annapolis, MD. He was born December 30, 1931, in New York City.