Nomination of Russell A. Rourke To Be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

The President today announced his intention to nominate Russell A. Rourke to be Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs).

Since 1977 Mr. Rourke has served as administrative assistant to Representative Harold S. Sawyer (R-Mich.). In 1976-77 he served as Special Assistant to the President (Legislative Affairs). Mr. Rourke was Deputy to Presidential Counsellor John O. Marsh, Jr., in 1974-76. In 1974 he was the Republican-Conservative nominee for Congress in the 36th District of New York.

Mr. Rourke served in 1965-74 as administrative assistant to Representative Henry P. Smith III (R-N.Y.). In 1960-64 he was administrative assistant to Representative John R. Pillion (R-N.Y.). Mr. Rourke was associated with the firm of Keogh, Carey and Costello in 1959-60. He is a member of the District of Columbia and American Bar Associations. He was graduated from the University of Maryland (B.A., 1953) and Georgetown University Law Center (LL.B., 1959).

Mr. Rourke was born in New York City on December 30, 1931. He is married to the former Judith Anne Muller, and they have three children. He resides with his family in Annapolis, Md.