    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 4, 1991]
    [Page 605]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Announcing the Resignation of Dick Thornburgh as Attorney
    General
    June 4, 1991

        The President. I just want to deviate from my normal position on not
    taking questions or making statements at these Cabinet meetings. But I
    do want to take what is an unusual opportunity to let you know that our
    colleague and our very able Attorney General, Dick Thornburgh, has
    informed me that he expects to become a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
    And at my request, however, I am pleased--we talked about this yesterday
    and again just now--I am pleased that he has agreed to remain in office
    through at least the end of July.
        And we've also discussed the key legislative issues that we have
    before Congress that are so important to the administration, and
    certainly to the Attorney General and to the Department of Justice. And
    he's agreed to continue to help to push for our civil rights bill, for a
    crime bill that is long overdue. And one of the key things we've got
    left to do is the implementation of that landmark Americans with
    Disabilities Act, drawing up the regulations for that. It's critical.
        And I want to just take this opportunity before the Cabinet to thank
    him, my friend and our able Attorney General, for his outstanding record
    as Attorney General and for his sound advice--legal adviser to two
    Presidents. And we are going to miss his wisdom and his support.
        And Dick, I just can't tell you what a fantastic job, in my view,
    you have done. And so, I'm delighted you're willing to accommodate my
    request that you stay on for the end of this timeframe I mentioned, and
    we just wish you the very best in whatever lies ahead.
        Q. Who is his replacement? [Laughter]
        The Attorney General. I'm sorry to hear you're so sad I'm going.
    [Laughter]

                        Note: The President spoke at 2:05 p.m. in the
                            Cabinet Room at the White House.