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Philip Klutznick Named New Secretary of Commerce

November 19, 1979
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Philip M. Klutznick of Chicago, an internationally prominent Jewish leader who is president of the World Jewish Congress, has been nominated by President Carter to be Secretary of Commerce, succeeding Juanita Kreps who resigned November I. His anticipated confirmation by the Senate will make Klutznick the second Jewish Cabinet member chosen by Carter in recent months. Last August he named Neil Goldschmidt, Mayor of Portland, Ore. to be Secretary of Transportation.

Klutznick, 72, will bring to his post a broad business background and record of government service. He served in various government posts under every President since Franklin Roosevelt, except Richard Nixon, held the rank of Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and was a member of several U.S. delegations to the UN General Assembly. He has always been active in Jewish leadership. He served as international president of B’nai B’rith, is chairman of the board of the Swiss-Israel Trade Bank of Geneva and chairman of the American Housing Committee for Israel. Klutznick said he would take a leave of absence from his post as WJC president.

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