    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [September 4, 2003]
    [Page 1091]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

     Statement on the Withdrawal of the Nomination of Miguel A.
    Estrada To Be a United States Court of
    Appeals Circuit Judge
     September 4, 2003

         It is with regret that, at the request of Miguel Estrada, I have
    today withdrawn his nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for
    the DC Circuit. I understand and respect his decision and wish Mr.
    Estrada and his family the best.
         Mr. Estrada received disgraceful treatment at the hands of 45
    United States Senators during the more than 2 years his nomination was
    pending. Despite his superb qualifications and the wide bipartisan
    support for his nomination, these Democrat Senators repeatedly blocked
    an up-or-down vote that would have led to Mr. Estrada's confirmation.
    The treatment of this fine man is an unfortunate chapter in the Senate's
    history.

    Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    version of this statement.