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ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT WELCOMES WHITE HOUSE NOMINEE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General John Ashcroft today welcomed President George W. Bush's announcement of his intention to nominate Deborah J. Daniels to be Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

"Deborah Daniels' record of service is impressive," Ashcroft said. "She brings to OJP an ideal blend of practical experience and fresh ideas. I have confidence she will lead this crucial component of the Department with honor and distinction."

Daniels is currently a partner at the Indianapolis law firm of Krieg DeVault Alexander & Capehart, LLP, where she specializes in legislative and regulatory work. Previously, she acted as the Executive Director of Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that pioneered the public-private partnerships that have contributed to Indianapolis' success and which, during her tenure, extended its reach to neighborhood economic development. She played a key role in founding an Indianapolis charity providing transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children.

From 1988-1993, Daniels served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. She was instrumental in the establishment of Project Weed and Seed in Indianapolis, a program that continues to be a national model in achieving Weed and Seed's goals of integrating law enforcement, community policing, violence prevention and neighborhood restoration efforts. She also served as the first Director of the Executive Office of Weed and Seed within the Department of Justice from 1992-1993, for which she received the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management. During her tenure as U.S. Attorney, she also received the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Coordination and served on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys.

Prior to her service as U.S. Attorney, Daniels worked as Chief Counsel to then-Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Goldsmith in Marion County, Indiana, supervising, among other things, the areas of child abuse, sexual abuse and domestic violence prosecutions, adult protective services and victims' assistance.

She is actively involved in a variety of charitable organizations in Indianapolis, including the United Way of Central Indiana and various pro bono legal assistance projects. She received a BA with honors at DePauw University and graduated cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law.

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