    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [July 5, 2001]
    [Pages 826-827]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Nomination of Robert S. Mueller to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
    July 5, 2001

        The President. Thank you all for coming. General, thank you for
    being here. It is my honor to nominate Robert S. Mueller, of California,
    to become the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I want to
    welcome his wife, Anne, here, and I want to welcome you all to the Rose
    Garden.
        When confirmed, Mr. Mueller will be only the sixth person to hold
    this position. He assumes great responsibilities. He was chosen with
    great care, and he has my full confidence.
        Bob Mueller earned my trust and that of the Attorney General when he
    served as Acting Deputy Attorney General earlier this year. He also has
    earned the confidence of other Presidents before me. He is the current
    U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California. He was appointed
    to that position by President

    [[Page 827]]

    Clinton. He served in my father's administration, as well. Before that,
    he was U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, making him one of the very few
    ever to serve as chief Federal prosecutor in two jurisdictions.
        Our next FBI Director has given nearly all his career to public
    service, going back to his days in the Marine Corps. He served with
    distinction and was decorated during the Vietnam war. As a lawyer,
    prosecutor, and Government official, he has shown high ideals, a clear
    sense of purpose, and a tested devotion to his country.
        As Director, Mr. Mueller will succeed a good and honest man,
    Director Louis Freeh, who has my respect and
    the gratitude of our Nation. I also want to thank Acting Director
    Pickard, who has served well during this
    transition.
        The FBI has a great tradition that Mr. Mueller must now affirm and
    some important challenges he must confront. Like the Department of
    Justice, the FBI must remain independent of politics and uncompromising
    in its mission.
        Bob Mueller's term in office will last longer than my own. And the
    next 10 years will bring more forms of crime, new threats of terror from
    beyond our borders and within them. The tools of law enforcement will
    change, as well. The FBI must be ready to protect Americans from new
    types of criminals who will use modern technology to defraud and disrupt
    our society. The Bureau must secure its rightful place as the premier
    counterespionage and counterterrorist organization in the United States.
    It must continue to serve as a resource and training center for law
    enforcement. And it must do all this with a firm commitment to
    safeguarding the constitutional rights of our citizens.
        Bob Mueller's experience and character convinced me that he's ready
    to shoulder these responsibilities. Agents of the Bureau prize three
    virtues above all: fidelity, bravery, and integrity. This new Director
    is a man who exemplifies them all.
        Congratulations.

    [At this point, Director-designate Mueller made brief remarks.]

        The President. Congratulations.
        Director-designate Mueller. Thank you very much, sir.
        The President. Thank you all for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Thomas J. Pickard, Acting
    Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation. The transcript released by
    the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Director-
    designate Mueller.