STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO R. GONZALES ON THE RESIGNATION OF ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL THOMAS L. SANSONETTI

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today issued the following statement on the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Thomas L. Sansonetti of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD):

“Tom Sansonetti vigorously enforced our nation’s environmental laws during his tenure at the Department of Justice. Although our time together at the Department was short, our relationship as friends and colleagues dates back to the beginning of the Bush Administration when Tom returned to public service. I admire Tom’s career accomplishments, value his interest in taking on new challenges, and thank him for his service to our nation, President Bush, and the pursuit of justice.”

Sansonetti was confirmed by the United States Senate in November 2001 and presided over historic times in the ENRD. Under his leadership, the ENRD set new records in securing civil penalties and obtaining remedial action by polluters under environmental laws. Over the last four years, the ENRD promoted the health and safety of America’s citizens, combated illegal shipments of hazardous materials, achieved significant progress in assuring cleaner water, obtained prison sentences for those who pollute the oceans, secured substantial Superfund settlements, and joined federal, state, and local efforts in cleaning up America’s air and protecting its natural resources. Sansonetti’s resignation will be effective April 8, 2005.

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