Ben Johnson Named To Head Clinton's Race Initiative Office At White House

President Clinton recently announced the appointment of Robert B. (Ben) Johnson as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office on the President's Initiative for One America, a new office the president is creating to follow up on the work of his initiative on race.

Johnson, along with Mary Beth Cahill, who also was appointed Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office on the President's Initiative for One America, will report to the president on the status of his ongoing race initiative.

Educating the American public about race, identifying policies that can expand opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities and coordinating the work of the White House and federal agencies to carry out the president's vision of One America are the goals that Johnson, 54, will promote in his new appointment.

"I feel honored and privileged to be called on by the president to do this important work and to be a part of history in that this is the first time an office like this has been set up in the White House," said Johnson.

"I am delighted that I am getting an opportunity to at least play a role in eliminating some of the racial disparities in health and income, as well as playing a role in increased civil rights enforcement," he added.

Johnson currently serves as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison. He has served in the Office of Public Liaison since 1993.

Before joining the administration, Johnson served in a number of positions in the government of the District of Columbia, including Administrator of the Housing and Environmental Administration, and Administrator of the Business Regulation Administration. He served in the White House under President Carter as Director of Consumer Programs.

Johnson is originally from South Bend, IN. He is married to Jacqueline Johnson and has five children.