Bush nominates trustee for ambassador position

President George W. Bush nominated IU Board of Trustees President James T. Morris to serve as ambassador to the United States Mission to the United Nations Agencies in Rome.\nThe position serves to overlook and maintain three particular legs of U.S. involvement in Rome: the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the U.N. World Food Program and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.\nThe nomination needs to be confirmed by the Senate before it becomes official. He has been asked by the White House not to comment until the Senate approves his nomination, although he said he is excited at the prospect of the position.\n"I'm really grateful to be selected by President Bush to do this important job," Morris said.\nMorris will be filling a position previously held by former senator George S. McGovern, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton in 1998. McGovern left office as ambassador Sept. 30. \nIn addition to his work on the board of trustees, Morris is Chairman and chief executive officer of IWC Resources Corporation and Indianapolis Water Company, its principal subsidiary. He is also an active member of the United States Olympic Committee. \nA graduate of IU in 1965, Morris has worked on numerous educational and non-profit organizations including the Haskell Indiana College Foundation, the Indiana Pacers foundation and the NCAA foundation.\n"Jim Morris has an outstanding record of public service and of getting things done," IU President Myles Brand said in a press release. "We have been most pleased that he brought those attributes to our board of trustees, and I am certain he will have a similarly positive impact in this new role."\nMorris has donated more than $22,000 to Republicans and $1,000 to Democrats in campaign donation money. \n"I think it's a well-deserved honor for him," said board member Sue Talbot. "He has been one of the leaders in Indiana in philanthropic endeavors for many, many years. They couldn't have had a better candidate for this job. There isn't anyone they could find who'd be a better candidate." \nMorris was elected to the board of trustees by alumni in 1996. His term will end June 30.\nIf all goes well in the Senate, Morris will have to move overseas for the job, thereby losing his position with the board of trustees. The board requires its president live in the United States.\n"He can't commute, he has to live in Rome for this position," said WFP Director Joseph Scalise. \nIn the event Morris has to resign, Frederick Eichhorn, vice president of the board since 1992, would fill the position for the remainder of Morris' term.\n"I think it's wonderful, it's a fabulous choice," said trustee Stephen Backer. "If he had to resign (from the board), it'd be a tremendous loss. Jim's been a very good member and a very strong supporter of the University. He'll be an excellent choice."\nThe FAO works to improve nutritional and standard of living levels by promoting agricultural production in poverty-stricken, rural areas. The WFP receives monetary donations and buys food in malnourished countries. The organization is funding food drops in Afghanistan. The IFAD provides loans to agriculturally and rurally underdeveloped countries. \n"Generally, it's someone with background in agriculture in emergency situations or in businessrelated to agriculture," Scalise said. "(Morris') role is to represent the United States government, which is a major donor to all three of the agencies in Rome. He'll attend executive meetings for all three organizations and represent U.S. interests there"