Nomination of William E. Brock To Be Secretary of Labor

The President today announced his intention to nominate William E. Brock to be Secretary of Labor. He would succeed Raymond J. Donovan.

Since 1981 Ambassador Brock has been serving as United States Trade Representative. Previously he was chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1977-1981. He was United States Senator from Tennessee in 1971-1977 and represented the Third Congressional District of Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives in 1963-1971.

Ambassador Brock was born in Chattanooga, TN, on November 23, 1930. He attended Washington and Lee University, where he earned a B.S. in 1953. Following his service as an officer in the United States Navy, he became associated with the Brock Candy Co. as a marketing executive.

He was elected to the Congress in 1962 and throughout his service was active in Republican Party building efforts, serving as head of the National Young Voters Programs in 1972. In 1974 he was elected to head the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Ambassador Brock is married to the former Laura (Muffet) Handly, and they have four children.