FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 26, 1999
Contact: John Swank
Tel.: (202) 366-5807
MARAD 01-99
NORTON APPOINTED TO MARAD
CONGRESSIONAL POST
Maritime Administrator Clyde J. Hart Jr. today announced the appointment of William Gerard Norton Jr. to the post of director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs.
Norton will oversee the agency’s congressional and public affairs activities and will coordinate contacts with the Congress and other government agencies on maritime matters.
"Bill brings with him a wealth of experience from Capitol Hill and from the department, and his knowledge and experience on transportation issues make him a sound choice for this position. I am happy to welcome him to our team," Hart said.
From October 1996 until his MARAD appointment, Norton had served as a senior congressional relations officer at the Department of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs. In that position, he was responsible for formulating and recommending policies and legislative strategies to the Secretary of Transportation on initiatives of the Federal Railroad Administration, the Research and Special Programs Administration and Amtrak. He also initiated and maintained communications with members of Congress, senior Congressional staff, the White House, other administration officials and interested parties concerning the administration’s position on transportation issues.
Norton began his congressional service as a U.S. Senate page under the sponsorship of the late West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph. He later joined the staff of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd where he served in many capacities from 1981 to 1989. From 1992 to 1996, Norton was special assistant to the U.S. Senate’s sergeant at arms.
Norton is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, Ga., with a bachelor of science degree in English and business management. He is a member of the West Virginia State Society of Washington, D.C.
Norton is married to the former Anne Wilson of Leslie, Ga., and resides in Virginia with their son Philip Jennings.
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