JackValenti formally resigned yesterday from his position as president and CEO ofthe Motion Picture Association Of America (MPAA) after 38 years in the job, ashis successor Dan Glickman (pictured) was named.

Glickman,a former Secretary of Agriculture and former congressman from Kansas, will takeup his position on Sept 1 until which time Valenti will continue in the post.The selection of Glickman ended a long search by headhunting firmSpencer/Stuart for a worthy successor for Valenti.

"Iam honored and inspired by the prospect of joining the MPAA," said Glickman ina statement. "I have long had a deep affection for the movieindustry. My son, Jonathan, has his own successful career in Hollywood,which has allowed me to learn a good deal about this fascinating world.

"Whatenthuses me is the work of sustaining and enlarging MPAA's role ininternational cinema," he continued. "As America's most wanted export, theAmerican movie is also a great source of economic growth. I am eager tobegin working closely with my new colleagues at MPAA, here and abroad, with theCongress, the federal government, state legislatures, with officials of nationson all the continents, as well as the global creative community."

Glickman'sson Jonathan is a partner with Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum in SpyglassEntertainment.

Glickmanserved for 18 years as a member of Congress during which time he was a memberof the House Judiciary Committee where he also sat on the Copyright andIntellectual Property Subcommittee. He was also chair of the House PermanentSelect Committee on Intelligence.

In1995, he served as US Secretary Of Agriculture and continued in that role forsix years, overseeing an annual operating budget of $60bn and 100,000employees. In this role, he was involved in negotiating internationaltrade agreements. On leaving the government, Glickman became director of theInstitute Of Politics at Harvard University and a teacher of the Kennedy Schoolof Government.

Valentisaid of Glickman: "He is a demonstrated wise and decisive leader who in hisroles as Secretary of Agriculture and as a member of Congress was able in hispublic career to construct a respectful rapport with both sides of theaisle. He will be a powerful, successful steward of the MPAA."

Valenti will continue to supervise(with the President of the National Association of Theatre Owners) thevoluntary film rating system, which he devised in 1968.