PRESIDENT BUSH ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF
THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE

President Bush Taps Former Texas Police Chief As The New
Director Of The U.S. Marshals Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President George W. Bush yesterday announced the appointment of Benigno (Ben) G. Reyna to be Director of the United States Marshals Service, the federal government's oldest law enforcement agency. He becomes the eighth person confirmed by the Senate to hold the position since 1970.

"I am proud to join President Bush in welcoming Ben to the Department of Justice," said Attorney General John Ashcroft. "As a former Chief of Police, he brings a great deal of law enforcement experience and leadership to the U.S. Marshals."

Director Reyna most recently served as the Chief of Police for the City of Brownsville, Texas, a position he has held since 1976. He was also the Emergency Management Coordinator for Brownsville.

Director Reyna was appointed to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education by Governor George W. Bush, and in 1997, he was named Commissioner. He became the Presiding Officer in 2000.

He has served as a Regional Expert for the Office of National Drug Control Policy's Counter Drug Technology Assessment Center since 1997.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas-Pan American, Brownsville.

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