---

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 1, 1993                   TAG: 9304010151
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

---

NAACP CHIEF HOOKS DELAYING RETIREMENT

Benjamin Hooks said Wednesday he has temporarily postponed his retirement as executive director of the NAACP after a protracted search for a successor failed to be completed in time.

Hooks was scheduled to retire Wednesday. But he said the NAACP's board of directors asked him to stay "for a few days" to ease the transition of power.

"I anticipate this will occur within a short span of time and that I can end my responsibilities to the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization no later than the end of April," Hooks said.

---