    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 3 (Monday, January 25, 1993)]
    [Page 84]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on Withdrawal of the Nomination of Zoe Baird To Be Attorney
    General

     January 22, 1993

        Tonight, I received a letter from my Attorney-General-designate, Ms.
    Zoe Baird, asking that I withdraw her nomination to lead the United
    States Department of Justice from further consideration by the Senate.
        Ms. Baird is a gifted attorney and a woman of decency and integrity.
    She responded to the call to public service with energy and a firm
    dedication to the mission of the Justice Department. Her candid
    disclosure of the child care matter to officials of my transition and to
    the Senate Judiciary Committee led to the circumstances we face today.
        Clearly, our review process prior to her selection failed to
    evaluate this issue completely. For that, I take full responsibility. I
    hold Zoe Baird in the highest regard, and I believe she has much to give
    to her profession and to our country. I hope to continue to seek her
    advice and counsel. With sadness, I have accepted her request that the
    nomination be withdrawn and have so informed the Senate majority leader,
    George Mitchell.