WASHINGTON -- House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt announced yesterday a new Democratic leadership structure, describing it as "the largest, the most diverse and the most inclusive in the history" of the House.
The four chief deputies to Minority Whip David E. Bonior of Michigan will be Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Chet Edwards of Texas, John Lewis of Georgia and Bill Richardson of New Mexico.
They also will join Missouri's Mr. Gephardt on a newly formed Democratic Policy Committee, which in turn will have three "special teams" of vice chairmen. In charge of communications will be Kweisi Mfume of Maryland and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois; in charge of research will be David R. Obey of Wisconsin and Eva Clayton of North Carolina; and in charge of policy will be George Miller of California and John M. Spratt Jr. of South Carolina.
One of the most thankless jobs -- chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee -- went to Martin Frost of Texas, known for his keen political instincts and a strong will.
Also announced was the creation of a Leadership Advisory Group, whose members include Charles W. Stenholm of Texas, John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, Patricia Schroeder of Colorado, Louise M. Slaughter of New York, Louis Stokes of Ohio, John D. Dingell of Michigan, W. G. "Bill" Hefner of North Carolina and Ed Pastor of Arizona. The next chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus also will be a member.