Posted on 11/13/2004 4:06:27 AM PST by Reader of news
I have had the privilege of meeting with and speaking with many of you on numerous occasions over the past four years. Today, with gratitude toward my fellow Americans, I address you near the close of my time as the Attorney General of the United States.
On November 2nd, I submitted to the President my resignation from the office of Attorney General. The noble work of justice preceded my appointment to this office, and it will continue after I am gone. But my official service to this great cause is drawing to a close. We have accomplished what we set out to accomplish almost four years ago. I am blessed to leave public office in a nation that is safer and stronger than the one I found; a nation in which the flame of freedom illuminates every American and burns a signal fire to a watching world.
And as I graduate from public service to citizen service, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the people and institutions that made my service possible.
I am grateful first to you, the American people, for your partnership in the defense of freedom. As never before, protecting the nation and securing our liberties has brought together public officials and private citizens, the Justice community and the American community. The partnership the men and women of the Justice Department have forged with the American people has seen our nation through the worst attack in its history and has endured to produce an historic era of safety and security. Violent crime is at its lowest rate in three decades. Gun crime prosecutions are at a record high and violent crimes committed with guns are at a record low. Drug use among the nation's youth is declining. Corporate criminals are facing justice, and integrity has been restored to the nation's marketplace.
No group of individuals could have aspired to such achievement. No organizational plan could have credibly predicted such success. But in a uniquely American way this generation of Americans has done what so many said could not be done: We have safeguarded both the security and liberty of our fellow Americans in a time of war.
I am deeply grateful to President George W. Bush for the opportunity to serve the American people. Those who know me know that one of the beliefs that have shaped my life is this: In everything we do, we teach those around us. For the past four years, President Bush has taught Americans. His leadership has inspired leadership in others. His courage has made us braver and better advocates for the cause of freedom.
It has been my great honor to serve in his cabinet. I have had the privilege of working alongside a group of men and women of both extraordinary focus and generosity; a group that has shown both discipline in achieving the President's goals and open-mindedness in accommodating healthy and heartfelt disagreement.
Lastly, I am grateful to God for each day the sun rises on a safe and free America. For the past three years, my every working day has begun with a report – a catalog of the murderous acts being plotted against Americans. That we have passed these three years in safety and security is a credit to the men and women with whom I serve. But it would be the height of arrogance to assume we achieved this alone. The Psalms remind us: “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain.”
My fellow Americans, for four years we have stood watch together. We have endured many things and we have accomplished many more. It has been the honor of my lifetime to stand beside you. And as I take my leave of this privileged post, I know that our efforts have not been in vain. The Builder of our city and the Author of our freedom has stood beside us. He stands beside us still.
Sincerely, John D. Ashcroft Attorney General of the United States
I don't know when this picture was taken, but he looks so much younger than now. Public service has taken its toll on him. America owes him a big debt of gratitude.
A good man
I pay tribute to John Ascroft a man who understands the law, the Constitution, the real meaning of the 2nd Amendment and who recognizes the blessings God has bestowed on this nation!
John Ashcroft has been one of the best attorney generals. He's been a brave man who has defended liberty and fight against terrorism and crime strongly. God bless him.
I'm sure Al Gonzales will do a good job as AG.
Thank You Mr. Ashcroft, As Sean would say "You're a Great American". May GOD richly bless you in all you do.
Amen!
Wonder when Gonzales will write his first pro-2a brief?
Hey liberal pukes, you can kiss Mr. Ashcroft's @@@. He was a better AG than you deserved.
Want to send the liberals over the cliff, place Mr. Ashcroft on the Supremes!
John Ashcroft has done a remarkable job as A.G. It is a very tough job to protect civil liberties during war and he took a pragmatic approach to our security which has resulted in the capture of large numbers of bad guys.
I also think he is a man of tremendous courage and honesty. His testimony before the 9/11 Commission was brave and necessary.
I hope he takes some time to play music and relax before he moves on to the next phase of his career.
We're going to miss you Mr. Attorney General. What a classy and God-fearing man! Our prayers are with you and an humble and heart felt...THANK YOU!
I will miss him like I would miss Attilla the Hun. He had no respect for the constitution or for civil liberties. He was behind the most evil drug raids against hospices where sick and dying people were using marijuana to get through the day.
Obviously, it depends on who writes the history books but any rational observer would put him on the evil side of the ledger.
I had the privilege of meeting the Attorney General at "Kids Day at DOJ", in which he spoke to children and relatives of DOJ employees at the Justice Courtyard two summers ago.
After speaking to the kids about the importance of law enforcement, the court system, and what heroic efforts their parents were making in the fight against terrorism, Mr Ashcroft stayed well past his allotted time in sweltering heat and signed autographs and posed for pictures with all the kids and their proud parents.
I took the opportunity to personally commend him for his conduct at the end of his last Senate campaign against Mel Carnahan, who was the then-governor of Missouri.
Carnahan perished in a plane crash weeks before election day, and the then-Senator Ashcroft had the human decency to suspend active campaigning and advertising for the balance of the campaign, even though he was polling behind.
The Missouri electorate saw fit to elect Carnahan post-humously, and the media took great pleasure to the point of ridicule in reporting that Senator Ashcroft had lost to a dead man. Throughout it all, he remained stoic and refused to impugn the memory of his deceased opponent even though his own distinguished career as a former governor and senator might be at an end.
Carnahan's widow assumed his seat, and replaced Mr Ashcroft as Missouri's senator. When President Bush nominated him for Attorney General, this gentlemen was voted against this office for which he was eminently qualified by none other than Carnahan's widow.
I let him know that I thought that his conduct was a mark of true grace, and he looked up and gave me a very warm handshake and thank you.
Thank you for your service to your country and to your fellow man, Mr Attorney General.
I like the way you think!
Thank you for your service to me and to my family, Mr. Ashcroft.
Even in the days when unscrupulous men reviled you, you put your duty to America above any personal redemption against your enemies.
They have proved to be but small men, in your presence.
You have proved to be a great man, one who reflects the Presence of the One you follow.
We are in your debt.
May goodness and kindness follow you all of the days of your life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.