UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL

in

The Great Hall

September 29, 1998

3:00 P.M.

THE CRIMINAL AWARDS CEREMONY

HON. JANET RENO, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL

P R O C E E D I N G S

(Introduction.)

(Applause.)

ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO: Thank you very much. When I look at this

department, I see many facets, but probably the facet and the side in the division I see everyday, most of, most of the time, including weekends, is the criminal division. You are there every step of the way in emergency, in planning, in doing so much for this nation.

When I look at the lawyers who have received the Henry E. Peterson Award, I see some of the greatest lawyers that I have known. And yet, as I look out on this audience I see other magnificent lawyers.

It is such a privilege and such an honor to serve with each and every one of you. And it is a particular pleasure for me to be here when Mary Lee gets this award, because she's the one I think I see the most of.

This lady is pretty remarkable. She's good on the law, she can get things organized, she can plan a strategy, she can testify before congress. There's one thing I discovered she won't do. She won't talk to the press. Smart.

She represents to me what public service is all about. Somebody that is interested in solving problems, that gets stubborn, that tells the Attorney General no. And then, I turn around three days later and she's come up with some kind of strategy that addresses in a way that we both feel comfortable, the issue that I was looking at. She's not afraid to explore new territories, she's not afraid to serve this nation with what she thinks is the thought, the action, the deed, that will best serve us all.

May Lee, you are so deserving.

(Applause.)

(No further speaking by AG RENO.)