REMARKS OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO R. GONZALES
TO DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EMPLOYEES

Thank you.

I am here with my beautiful wife, Rebecca, and I want to thank you for making us feel at home. Thank you so very much. It is an honor, it truly is an honor, to be here with you at the Department of Justice. I am grateful to the President for this opportunity.

Let me begin by first thanking General Ashcroft for his lifetime of service and his leadership, wonderful leadership, that he has provided to this Department for the past four years. During my hearings, America had an opportunity to learn a little bit more about my personal life story. During the hearings of Condi Rice, Carlos Gutierrez, America also had the opportunity to hear the life stories of other Americans. Our stories reflect the American dream, that’s what our stories represent. And there are many others in this country who share similar stories, stories of the American dream of equal opportunity in this country and it has historically been the case that it falls upon the shoulders of the Attorney General to ensure that that dream is available to future generations of American children. And so for someone who has lived the dream, it is a special privilege to stand here today as the eightieth Attorney General of the United States of America.

We in the Department have a special obligation -- responsibility -- to the American people. Obviously, the President said the number one priority for the Department is to protect this country against future acts of terrorism -- and we will continue to make that our top priority -- but will do so in a way that is always consistent with our values and consistent with our legal obligations. That will be, of course, the lodestar that will guide us in our efforts here at the Department.

My style of management is basically one of listening. I like to listen to people. I look forward to the opportunity to meet as many of you as I can during the weeks and months and years ahead, and listening to your ideas about what we can do to make this Department even greater. Thank you again for coming out this morning. It is a special privilege, once again, to stand here before you as the Attorney General and to have the opportunity to work with this very wonderful, wonderful group of people. Thank you very much.

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