Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
AG
(202) 514-2008
TDD (202) 514-1888

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN, BARBARA COMSTOCK,
TO STEP DOWN AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS


WASHINGTON, D.C. Attorney General John Ashcroft announced today that chief Justice Department spokeswoman Barbara Comstock will step down from her position as Director of Public Affairs later this month.

“Barbara is a gifted communicator and lawyer who has worked tirelessly to make sure that the American people and the press corps received the information needed to explain the policies and priorities of the Justice Department,” said Attorney General Ashcroft. “Her grace under pressure in a crisis communications arena, as well as a commitment to high standards and the rule of law, has served the Department well. I am particularly grateful for her efforts in building a strong public affairs office that will continue to serve the Department with distinction.”

“I appreciate the incredible opportunity to have served the Attorney General and the Bush Administration in this critical time in our nation’s history. It is an honor and privilege to serve with the incredibly talented leadership team that the Attorney General marshaled to battle the war on terrorism. The leadership that the Attorney General and our team have demonstrated have served to make the American people's lives and liberties safer and more secure since the September 11th attacks,” said Comstock.

Comstock has served as the Director of Public Affairs for the Justice Department since January 2002 and oversaw all communications for the Attorney General, as well as the public affairs offices of the Justice Department components including the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Prisons; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the U.S. Marshals Service.

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