Nomination of Richard S. Schweiker To Be Secretary of Health and Human Services

The President today nominated Richard Schultz Schweiker, of Worcester, Pa., to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Mr. Schweiker was United States Senator from Pennsylvania.

He was born on June 1, 1926. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard an aircraft carrier from 1944 until his discharge as an electronics technician, second class, in 1946. He received his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 1950, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

He was a business executive from 1950 to 1960. In 1960 Mr. Schweiker was elected to the United States House of Representatives from the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania and served in the House from January 1961 to January 1969. In 1968 Mr. Schweiker was elected to the United States Senate. He was the ranking minority member of the Labor and Human Resources Committee and ranking minority member of its Health and Scientific Research Subcommittee. He was a member of the Appropriations Committee and ranking minority member of its Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education Subcommittee. He also served on the Rules and Administration Committee.

He is an honorary member of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the board of directors of the Schwenkfelder Library. He is the recipient of the Bringer of Light Award of the National Jewish Fund, the Samuel H. Daroff Humanitarian Award, the B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League Award, the National Mental Health Association Award, the Prime Minister of Israel's Medal, and the Opportunities Industrialization Center Key Award.

He is married to the former Claire Joan Coleman. They have five children: Malcolm, Lani, Kyle, Richard S., Jr., and Kristi.