Washington, DC - The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) announces the nomination by President Clinton of four new members: Phil Bredesen, Paulette H. Holahan, Marilyn Gell Mason, and Donald L. Robinson. The nominations have been sent to the Senate for consideration.
Phil Bredesen, Nashville, Tennessee is the President of Bredex Corporation, an educational software company. He is the founder and former CEO of HealthAmerica Corporation and was the mayor of Nashville from 1991 until 1999. While mayor, he was responsible for a revamped library system, an improved school system, and the building of two pro sports arenas. In November 1998, Library Journal named Mayor Bredesen "1998 Politician of the Year" and identified him as "an unrelenting advocate and admirer of the library and its intrinsic role as the public's sanctuary for information and self-enrichment." Mr. Bredesen received his B.S. from Harvard University.
Paulette H. Holahan of New Orleans, Louisiana is the retired Deputy Judicial Administrator for Public Information, Louisiana Supreme Court. She is also a former member of NCLIS (1980 -1985). Ms. Holahan was on the executive board of the Urban Libraries Council and a delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1979. She continues to give countless hours to the support and governance of libraries in her community. The President intends to appoint Ms. Holahan to the post on the Commission that is especially concerned with the library and information needs of the elderly.
Marilyn Gell Mason of Tallahassee, Florida is the retired director of the Cleveland Public Library and an active consultant with libraries and corporations serving libraries. Prior to her service in Cleveland, she was the director of the Atlanta-Fulton Library in Atlanta, Georgia. She also served as the director of the First White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1979-1980. Ms. Mason is the author of many publications that have appeared in various library journals and is a regular speaker at national and international meetings, conferences and seminars. Ms. Mason received a B.A. from the University of Dallas, a Master of Library Science from North Texas State University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University School of Government.
Donald L. Robinson, Ph.D. from Washington, DC is an adjunct professor of Political Science at Boston University and the director of Boston University's Washington Internship Program. Dr. Robinson is the coordinator of the Mickey Leland Congressional Intern Program in Washington of the Center for Public Policy, University of Houston. Following military service as an officer in the Navy, Dr. Robinson held key staff positions on Capitol Hill. He developed educational and orientation programs for new staff members and Members of Congress. Dr. Robinson received a B.A. and a M.A. from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University.
Martha B. Gould, NCLIS chair, speaking on behalf of the Commission said, "Each of these individuals brings a remarkably rich background. The diverseness of their experience will add greatly to the Commission in its advisory role to the President and Congress."
The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government charged by Public Law 91-345 to appraise the adequacies and deficiencies of current library and information resources and services and to advise the President and Congress on national and international policies and plans.