White House’s Ebola Liaison Arrives in Dallas
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iStock/Thinkstock(DALLAS) — The White House has quietly dispatched Adrian Saenz, deputy director of intergovernmental affairs, to be the administration’s eyes and ears on the ground in Dallas, coordinating Ebola efforts with state and local officials.
A Texas native, Saenz arrived in Dallas late Sunday, a senior administration official told ABC News. He will work closely with the Texas state coordinator Gov. Rick Perry appointed Friday and FEMA coordinator Kevin Hannes, who was dispatched Saturday.
Saenz was named to the role on Friday and will report directly to newly-named Ebola “czar” Ron Klain, who doesn’t officially start his new role until later this week.
An administration official said the appointment of Saenz is meant to ensure the government “is able to leverage effective coordination between the federal, state, and local levels in Dallas — as well as with frontline healthcare workers.”
Saenz will work in close coordination with senior White House officials, including Klain, and ensure that “state and local authorities are able to call upon any and all necessary federal resources,” the official said.
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