The Los Angeles Times reports U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has nominated U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman to head the United Nations Children's Fund:
Veneman, a 55-year-old lawyer, grew up on a peach farm in Modesto, and her career has focused on agriculture. Before she joined President Bush's Cabinet in 2001, she served from 1995 to 1999 as secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. She has also served in agriculture-related posts in the administrations of Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
UNICEF is the U.N.'s largest agency and has always been headed an American.
Veneman's selection comes amid a major shakeup of Annan's Cabinet.
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