    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 20, 1993]
    [Pages 1115-1117]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Announcing the Nomination of Louis Freeh To Be FBI Director
    July 20, 1993

        Good morning. Please sit down. Mr. Vice President; Attorney General
    Reno; the Acting FBI Director, Floyd Clark; former Director of the FBI,
    Judge William Webster, we're de-

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    lighted to have you here. Senator D'Amato; Judge Robert Bonner, the DEA
    Administrator; the representatives of all the law enforcement agencies
    who are here and the friends and family of the nominee to be the next
    Director of the FBI.
        The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the Federal Government's
    cutting edge in the fight against crime. Its agents are the best trained
    in the world. Its sophisticated technology enables law enforcement
    agents to catch criminals with a fragment of a fingerprint. As we saw
    only recently in the remarkably swift arrest in the World Trade Center
    bombing, the Agency continues its preeminent place in the law
    enforcement world. The Agency itself must clearly adapt to new times. It
    must continue the progress of opening its ranks to minorities and to
    women that began in recent years. It must work cooperatively with other
    agencies in the United States and in international partnerships against
    crime with police forces of other nations.
        Yesterday I announced my intention to appoint a new Director of the
    FBI. Today I am pleased to nominate a law enforcement legend to be the
    Director of the FBI, Judge Louis Freeh. Judge Freeh knows the FBI. He is
    a highly decorated former agent and supervisor. He has investigated and
    prosecuted some of the most notorious and complex crimes of our time. He
    is experienced, energetic, and independent. He will be both good and
    tough, good for the FBI and tough on criminals.
        It can truly be said that Louis Freeh is the best possible person to
    head the FBI as it faces new challenges and a new century. He has spent
    his career in the Federal justice system. After working his way through
    law school, he became an FBI agent. He knows the Agency as only an agent
    can, working the dangerous streets. He helped lead the waterfront
    investigations that led to the criminal convictions of 125 people,
    including leading organized crime figures.
        From the FBI, Judge Freeh became a Federal prosecutor in New York
    City. He prosecuted and won convictions against the leaders of what was
    then the largest heroin importation case in our history, the legendary
    ``Pizza Connection'' case. The trial lasted over a year. Among other
    defendants, Judge Freeh sent the head of the Sicilian mafia to jail.
    Observers were dazzled. He was called, and I quote, ``one of the
    Government's toughest investigators, a ramrod-straight and ferocious
    crusader against the mob, an investigative genius.''
        Three years ago, as Judge Freeh neared the end of his work as a
    prosecutor, the Department of Justice selected him to head a special
    task force in one of the most notorious and difficult criminal cases of
    our day. A mysterious bomber was at work in the South, mailing parcels
    that killed Federal Judge Robert Vance near Birmingham, Alabama, and
    civil rights leader Robbie Robinson in Savannah, Georgia. Many predicted
    that the case would never be solved. But led by Louis Freeh, the task
    force tracked down the bomber, and Freeh himself prosecuted the case and
    obtained convictions. The bomber is now serving seven life terms in
    prison. In recognition of his service to the law, President Bush
    appointed Louis Freeh to the Federal bench. Now Judge Freeh has agreed
    to leave that lifetime post to serve his Nation once again in a
    difficult new job. There are few jobs in our Government that are more
    important.
        Our Federal law enforcement agencies face an ever-changing array of
    threats. Drugs continue to ravage our young people and our streets. Law-
    abiding citizens can be caught in the crossfire between gangs, today
    equipped like armies. White-collar swindlers practice inventive forms of
    what Al Capone once called ``the legitimate rackets.'' And our Nation,
    so long immune from the terrorism that has plagued the world, now faces
    that threat, too.
        With Attorney General Janet Reno, Drug Policy Coordinator Lee Brown,
    and now, we hope, FBI Director Louis Freeh, our administration has a
    street-smart front line against crime. These law enforcers did not learn
    about crime in theory books, they learned about it on the streets and in
    the courtroom. And they have learned the best lessons of State and local
    enforcers. With all of their hard-won experience, this crimefighting
    team can work hard every day to protect the American people's right to
    safety in their homes and in their communities.
        I must tell you that I am very proud and very grateful that Judge
    Freeh was willing to leave his lifetime appointment on the Federal bench
    for the somewhat less secure work that the rest of us find in the
    executive branch. [Laughter] I hope the American people will be

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    grateful as well, and I look forward to his speedy confirmation.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:27 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House.