Press Release - Personnel Announcement

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate eleven individuals and accord one individual the Personal Rank of Ambassador to serve in his Administration.

The President intends to accord the Personal Rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to Harlan L. Watson, of Maryland. Dr. Watson currently serves as Senior Climate Negotiator and Special Representative at the Department of State. Prior to this, he served as a Staff Director on the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy. Earlier in his career, he served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior. Dr. Watson received his bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University, his master's degree from Georgetown University, and his PhD from Iowa State University.

The President intends to nominate the following individuals to be Members of the National Science Board, for six-year terms beginning 05/11/08:

Barry C. Barish, of California

Ray M. Bowen, of Texas

France A. Córdova, of Indiana

Esin Gulari, of South Carolina

G. P. "Bud" Peterson, of Colorado

Douglas D. Randall, of Missouri

Diane L. Souvaine, of Massachusetts

The President intends to nominate Jay T. Snyder, of New York, to be a Member of the United States Advisory Committee on Public Diplomacy, for the remainder of a three-year term expiring 07/01/10.

The President intends to nominate the following individuals to be Members of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board:

Edwin Eck of Montana, for an additional five-year term expiring 09/14/13

William E. Grayson of California, for the remainder of a five-year term expiring 09/14/10