[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.