Appointment of William A. Wilson as the Personal Representative of the President to the Holy See

The President announced today the appointment of William A. Wilson to be his Personal Representative to the Holy See. In this capacity, Mr. Wilson will visit the Vatican from time to time to exchange views with His Holiness Pope John Paul II and other Vatican officials on international and humanitarian subjects of interest and concern to the Holy See and the United States Government.

Born in Los Angeles, Calif., Mr. Wilson attended Stanford University and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps as a captain.

A registered mechanical and metallurgical engineer in California, Mr. Wilson was the president of Web Wilson Oil Tools, Inc., until 1960. He is also active in real estate development and has cattle interests in the United States and Mexico.

Among his civic activities, Mr. Wilson is a member of the board of trustees of St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., serving on various committees. He is a member of the board of regents of the University of California and serves on the university's investment, finance, audit, and other committees. He also served as a member of the California Post Secondary Education Committee and the Commission of the Californias, an organization for the promotion of better understanding between California and Baja California. He is a member of the board of directors of the Earle M. Jorgensen Co.

Mr. Wilson is married to the former Elizabeth Johnson, and they have two children and six grandchildren.