Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2001
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
AG
(202) 514-2007
TDD (202) 514-1888

ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT ANNOUNCES BARBARA COMSTOCK AS DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Attorney General John Ashcroft has appointed Barbara Comstock as Director of Public Affairs to be the senior spokeswoman for the Department. Comstock replaces Mindy Tucker who is leaving for the Republican National Committee.

"Barbara's extensive experience in the communications field, as well as an impressive legal background, makes her the ideal person to lead the Justice Department's communications efforts," said Ashcroft. "I welcome the opportunity to work with her and believe that she will be a tremendous asset to the Justice Department."

"At this critical time in our nation's history, I am deeply privileged to join the men and women of the Department of Justice in facing and helping to solve the serious problems currently facing our citizens. I look forward to the challenge of helping the Department's outstanding and dedicated law enforcement, civil rights, immigration and other officials in informing the public about the Department's many vital missions and what is being done every day to apply and enforce the rule of law, and to ensure the safety and liberty of our citizens. President Bush and Attorney General Ashcroft have assembled a superb leadership team in the Department of Justice to work with the thousands of dedicated career public servants who serve here. I am honored to become a part of that team," said Comstock.

Comstock most recently served as the Director of Research and Strategic Planning at the Republican National Committee (RNC) since 1999. The RNC Research Department served as the primary research resource for the Bush for President campaign and Comstock worked with the media on providing briefings and background information throughout the election year. This year, Comstock worked to promote President Bush's agenda and played a key role in developing a new initiative at the Republican National Committee: "Winning Women: Leadership for a New Century."

Comstock served as Chief Counsel, Chief Investigative Counsel and Senior Counsel to the House Government Reform Committee from 1995 to 1999. During that time, she worked extensively with the White House, the Justice Department, the FBI, and other government agencies on legal and political issues. From 1991 to 1995, Comstock served as a senior aide to Representative Frank Wolf of Virginia where she worked on House appropriations and budget matters, health care, welfare, family issues and tax issues. In 1991, Comstock was a professional staff member with the House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families. From 1987 to 1990, she was an attorney in private practice in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Comstock is a 1986 graduate of Georgetown Law School and a 1981 graduate of Middlebury College. She is married with three children and her husband is an assistant principal in the Fairfax County school system.

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