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ATTORNEY GENERAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE CONFIRMATIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. Attorney General John Ashcroft today issued the following statements regarding this morning's Senate confirmations of Ralph Boyd to be Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division and Eileen O'Connor to be Assistant Attorney General for the

Tax Division:

• "Ralph Boyd will play a key role in our duty to protect the rights of all Americans. Under his leadership, the Civil Rights Division will be guided by the principle that no one should feel outside the protection of the law. We will all benefit from his years of experience and his dedication to the pursuit of justice. I am pleased to welcome him to the Department, and I look forward to working with him.

• "Eileen O'Connor will direct the Tax Division with the same honor and commitment marking her past government service. Her immense knowledge and keen insight will make her an invaluable asset to the Department and to those she will oversee in her role as Assistant Attorney General. I am privileged to welcome her today."

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