J. Brady Anderson, just confirmed as administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), served as U.S. ambassador to Tanzania from 1994 to 1997 and before that worked with the Wycliffe Bible Translators with his wife for five years in East Africa.

The Senate confirmed Anderson's nomination August 2.

A biographical sketch released by the USAID said the Andersons' missionary work contributed to Bible translation and literacy programs in eight languages.

A native of Arkansas, Anderson was assistant attorney general of Arkansas from 1977 to 1979 and a special assistant to then Governor Bill Clinton from 1979 to 1981.

Following is the text of the Anderson profile released by USAID:

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J. Brady Anderson was sworn in as Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on August 2, 1999.

As USAID Administrator, Anderson directs a $7 billion program of economic and humanitarian assistance to more than 100 countries in the developing world, in Central and Eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union.

Anderson served previously in the Clinton Administration as Ambassador to Tanzania from 1994 to 1997. Before his ambassadorial appointment, Anderson and his wile, Betty Wray Anderson, had spent five years living and working in the villages of East Africa as sociolinguistic surveyors with the Wycliffe Bible Translators. Their work contributed to Bible translation and literacy programs in eight languages.

From 1982 to 1985, Anderson was law clerk to U.S. District Judge E.T. Roy in Little Rock, Ark. In 1981 he was an instructor in political science at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.

From 1979 to 1981, Anderson served as special assistant to Governor Bill Clinton and as liaison for the departments of health and human services. He was Assistant Attorney General of Arkansas from 1977 to 1979.

Before his service with Governor Clinton, Anderson and his wife, also an attorney, had a private law practice in his hometown of Helena, Ark.

Anderson, a Vietnam veteran, served three years as a naval officer and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal in 1970.

Anderson was born on July 27, 1945, in Memphis, Tenn. He is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, the University of Arkansas School of Law and All Nations Christian College (U.K.). He is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and a former member of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Anderson is fluent in Swahili.

He and his wife reside in Washington, D.C. They have two daughters, Helen Brauner and Heath Anderson.

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