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Skriven 2007-08-27 23:30:42 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070827) for Mon, 2007 Aug 27
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President Bush Discusses Resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 27, 2007

President Bush Discusses Resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
TSTC Airport Waco, Texas

˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio ˙˙En Espa¤ol

˙

10:50 A.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: This morning, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced
that he will leave the Department of Justice, after two and a half years of
service to the department. Al Gonzales is a man of integrity, decency and
principle. And I have reluctantly accepted his resignation, with great
appreciation for the service that he has provided for our country.

As Attorney General and before that, as White House counsel, Al Gonzales
has played a role in shaping our policies in the war on terror, and has
worked tirelessly to make this country safer. The Patriot Act, the Military
Commissions Act and other important laws bear his imprint. Under his
leadership, the Justice Department has made a priority of protecting
children from Internet predators, and made enforcement of civil rights laws
a top priority. He aggressively and successfully pursued public corruption
and effectively combated gang violence.

As Attorney General he played an important role in helping to confirm two
fine jurists in Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. He did
an outstanding job as White House Counsel, identifying and recommending the
best nominees to fill critically important federal court vacancies.

Alberto Gonzales's tenure as Attorney General and White House Counsel is
only part of a long history of distinguished public service that began as a
young man when, after high school, he enlisted in the United States Air
Force. When I became governor of Texas in 1995, I recruited him from one of
Texas's most prestigious law firms to be my general counsel. He went on to
become Texas's 100th secretary of state and to serve on our state's supreme
court. In the long course of our work together this trusted advisor became
a close friend.

These various positions have required sacrifice from Al, his wife Becky,
their sons Jared, Graham and Gabriel, and I thank them for their service to
the country.

After months of unfair treatment that has created a harmful distraction at
the Justice Department, Judge Gonzales decided to resign his position, and
I accept his decision. It's sad that we live in a time when a talented and
honorable person like Alberto Gonzales is impeded from doing important work
because his good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons.

I've asked Solicitor General Paul Clement to serve as Acting Attorney
General upon Alberto Gonzales's departure and until a nominee has been
confirmed by the Senate. He's agreed to do so. Paul is one of the finest
lawyers in America. As Solicitor General, Paul has developed a reputation
for excellence and fairness, and earned the respect and confidence of the
entire Justice Department.

Thank you.

END 10:54 A.M. CDT
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