Ambassador Henry Catto Joins Direct Relief Board

Direct Relief International
Wednesday, 7 February 2001

SANTA BARBARA, CA (February 7, 2001)- Henry E. Catto, a Texas business leader and prominent U.S. diplomat who has served as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain and held key positions in Washington and at international posts for more than three decades, has joined the International Advisory Board of Direct Relief International, a nonprofit humanitarian assistance organization based in Santa Barbara, California.

"Direct Relief is the most exciting and effective relief organization in the country, and I am proud to be associated with it," said Catto today upon joining the Advisory Board.

Thomas Tighe, President and CEO of Direct Relief International, said "We are delighted that Ambassador Catto has joined Direct Relief International. His extraordinary record of achievement as a business leader, a diplomat, and in public service -- and his ongoing key role in international affairs and domestic policy – brings unparalleled insight and experience to our organization."

Mr. Catto is an associate of San Antonio-based Catto & Catto, and is Chairman of the Atlantic Council of the United States, Vice-Chairman of the Aspen Institute, a Director of National Public Radio and Cullen/Frost Bankers. He is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, and is Contributing Editor to the American Journalism Review. He previously served as Director of the United States Information Agency (1991-93), the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain (1989-1991) and to El Salvador (1971-73), Assistant Secretary of Defense (1981-83), U.S. Representative to the United Nations Offices in Geneva (1976-77), the Chief of Protocol for the United States (1974-76), and the U.S. Deputy Representative to the Organization of American States (1969-71). In 1999, the University of Texas Press published Ambassdors at Sea: The High and Low Adventures of a Diplomat, Mr. Catto's memoirs of his career.

Founded in 1948, Direct Relief last year sent more than $67 million worth (wholesale) of medical material assistance to aid victims of poverty, civil disorder and natural disasters in 50 countries worldwide. The organization is currently engaged in significant earthquake-relief efforts in El Salvador and India.

For more information, or to contact Direct Relief International, see their website at: www.directrelief.org