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ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT WELCOMES WHITE HOUSE NOMINEE

WASHINGTON, D.C. Attorney General John Ashcroft today welcomed President George W. Bush's announcement of his intention to nominate Mauricio Tamargo to be Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission.

"Mauricio Tamargo's record of service is impressive," Ashcroft said. "His wealth of experience in international affairs will be a considerable asset to the Department. I am certain he will lead the Commission with a steady hand and a clear sense of purpose in helping American citizens realize justice from foreign governments. I look forward to working with him."

Born in Cuba, Tamargo fled to the United States with his family when he was four years old. He is currently the Staff Director for the Human Rights and International Operations Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee and Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, as well as Legal Counsel for the Congresswoman.

Previously, he served as Staff Director for the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade. He has also worked as Staff Director and Counsel to the Subcommittee on Africa, Legislative Director and Legal Counsel to Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, and Administrative Assistant to then- Florida State Representative Ros-Lehtinen.

Tamargo also completed a summer law clerkship with the National Labor Relations Board, where he researched and wrote opinions on a number of important topics pending before the NLRB.

He received his BA in History from the University of Miami and his JD from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he was a member of the Dean's List and a Finalist in the Moot Court Competition. He is a member of the Florida, District of Columbia and Supreme Court Bars. He and his wife, Tara, have two children: Greg and Erin.

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