STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT ON
THE RETIREMENT OF JOHN COLLINGWOOD

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Attorney General John Ashcroft issued the following statement regarding today's announcement that John Collingwood, Assistant Director for the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will be retiring from his position after nearly 27 years of service.

"John Collingwood has been an invaluable member of the Department of Justice for more than 25 years. In the months since September 11th, John has played an especially critical role as we have refocused our efforts to confront the war on terrorism and secure our nation. He is a principled and dedicated man, and he will be missed. I thank him for his outstanding service to the FBI and to our country. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."

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