Evening star., 1962-07-14
Cleveland Mayor to Head HEW
CeIebrezze
Will Succeed
Ribicoff in Post
Kennedy's Choice
Surprised at
Appointment

HYANNIS PORT. Mass,
July IA (AP) President Ken
nedy today named Anthony j.
Celebrezze. Mayor of Cleveland,
Ohio. as the new Secretary of
Health Education, and Welfare.
Mr.. Kennedy's surprise an
nouncement was read to re-
porters by Assistant White
House Press Secretary Andrew
T. Hatcher. Mr.. Hatcher said
Mr.. Celebrezze is expected to
assume the post as soon as he
is confirmed by the Senate.
Mr.. Celebrezze will succeed
Abraham A. Ribicoff. who re-
signed Thursday when he for
mally announced his candidacy
for the Democratic nomination
for the Senate from Connecti-
cut.
Mr.. CelebreZze, 81, has been
Mayor of Cleveland since 1858.
Kennedy Statement
Mr.. Kennedy, in announcing
the appointment, said Mr.. Cele-
breeze brings to my cabinet a
wealth of experience gained
from having worked through
the years with the problems Of
people, particularly in the areas
of health, education and well
fare"
He therefore brings to this
great department an intimate
knowledge which will prove
invaluable in making the de-
partment an effective instru-
ment for the general welfare"
the President said.
II have known him for a
number of years and have the
highest regard for his ability.
integrity and dedication to the
public service"
Born in Italy
Mr.. Celebrezze was born Sep
tember 4, 1910, at AMI, Italy.
Mr.. Hatcher explained, how
ever, that his parents, who were
natives of Italy. were natural
lied United States citizens
visiting their homeland at the
time. This made him an Amer
ican citizen automatically, Mr..
Hatcher said.
Mr.. Celebrezze, one of 13
children, attended Cleveland
public schools and John Car
roll University. He then went
to Ohio Northern University,
Ada, Ohio, where he received
his law degree in 1886. He was
admitted to the bar in Ohio
the same year.
His appointment came as a
great Surprise," Mr.. Celebrezze
told reporters in his crowded Of
flee today. He said he had been
fishing in Canada yesterday
when a call came from the
White House to his office.
Mr.. Celebrezze called the
President back and was told
by Mr.. Kennedy that he would
like to have him as Secretary
of Health, Education and We'll
fare.
Talked It Over
The Mayor replied that he
was flattered, but asked Mr..
Kennedy for permission to first
talk it over with his wife before
making a decision.
Mr.. Celebrezze then called
Mr.. Kennedy this morning at
Hyannis Port and accepted. He
asked the President for about
a week to clean up business in
Cleveland before going to
Washington.
The identity of Mr.. Ribicoff's
successor was one of the best
kept secrets of the Kennedy
administration.
Mr.. Celebrezze'S name had
not figured in the speculation
for the post. Many others had
been mentioned, but informed
sources. without giving any hint
as to whom it would be, insisted
the appointment would come as
a surprise.
In a statement Mr.. Celebrezze
said:
Il am grateful for the con-
fidence that President Kennedy
has expressed in me. 1 shall do
my best to merit this conf
dence. This new assignment
presents a great challenge and
a great opportunity to be of
service to people. shall always
be grateful to the people of
Cleveland for granting me the
privilege of serving them as
their Mayor"
Mr.. Celebrezze has more than
one year to oserve on his fifth
tWo-year term.
Mayor Celebrezze is a close
See HEW, Page A-3