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UNITED STATES APPOINTS NEW CHIEF DELEGATE
TO OAS WOMEN'S COMMISSION

  February 21, 2002

The United States government has appointed Rita DiMartino as its principal delegate to the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), a specialized agency of the Organization of American States.

A nationally recognized expert on Hispanic affairs, DiMartino is currently Vice President, Congressional Relations for the AT&T corporation, where she has developed a vast experience in implementing the company's relations with the U.S. Administration, Congress, and state governments.

Reacting to the appointment, DiMartino said it is an honor to represent her government at the CIM, which she praised as "a pioneer in advancing the human rights of women and gender equality in the Americas for nearly 75 years." She added that she looked forward to working with her colleagues on the OAS Commission "as we continue our focus on women in order to contribute to the freedom and prosperity of all the citizens of this Hemisphere."

The new U.S. chief delegate to CIM has had a distinguished career that includes being a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; chair of the board of the Bronx Lebanon Hospital; and vice-chair of the Hispanic Council on Foreign Relations. She was also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, DiMartino earned a B.A. from the College of Staten Island, an M.P.A. from Long Island University, and an honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Dowling College, among other credentials.

In 1982 she was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as Ambassador to the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Education Fund (UNICEF), which involved, among other functions, oversight and program review visits in Central and South America, East and West Africa as well as Egypt and Morocco.

Reference: E-035/02