For Immediate Release                                   

July 10, 2006 

UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM MOURNS

 DEATH OF UNITED STATES TRUSTEE RICHARD W. SIMMONS

             WASHINGTON, D.C.–The United States Trustee Program mourns the death on July 7, 2006, of United States Trustee Richard W. Simmons, 58, of Houston, Texas.

             “It is with great sadness that I report the sudden passing of U.S. Trustee Richard Simmons,” Cliff White, Acting Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees, stated today. “Richard served the Program with distinction during his 12 years as U.S. Trustee for southern and western Texas. He was well regarded in the legal community and was dedicated to educating the public on bankruptcy law issues.”

             Mr. Simmons’ accomplishments as U.S. Trustee include spearheading the Program’s training efforts for a number of years, helping to craft a national initiative to enhance the Chapter 7 case closing process, and strengthening the case reporting requirements for Chapter 13 trustees.                          

             Mr. Simmons was first appointed U.S. Trustee for southern and western Texas (Region 7) in August 1994. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Simmons specialized in bankruptcy law, representing both debtors and creditors and handling cases under Chapters 7, 11, and 13. Before his first appointment as U.S. Trustee, he was a partner with the Houston law firm of Nathan, Wood & Sommers, where he worked for 12 years. Mr. Simmons received a Bachelors Degree and a Masters in Arts from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

             A memorial service will be held on July 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center, Cullen Boulevard, Entrance 13, University of Houston, telephone (713) 743-5050.

             The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 7 is headquartered in Houston with additional offices in Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.

Contact:            Jane Limprecht, Public Information Officer

                         Executive Office for U.S. Trustees

                         (202) 305-7411

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