FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2004 WWW.USDOJ.GOV EOUSA (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C.- Attorney General John Ashcroft has appointed William W. Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, to serve as the new Chair of the Attorney Generals Advisory Committee of United States Attorneys. He will serve a one-year term effective May 1, 2004.
The Attorney Generals Advisory Committee plays a vital role in furthering the Departments law enforcement efforts. The Committee advises the Attorney General and gives the United States Attorneys a key voice in Department policy. Mercer replaces Mary Beth Buchanan, United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, whose term as chair expires April 30th. Ms. Buchanan will continue to serve as a member of the Committee.
Bill has had an impressive tenure as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana. His guidance and wise counsel as Chair of the Advisory Committees Sentencing Guidelines Subcommittee has been invaluable to me and to the Department, said Attorney General Ashcroft. Bill will provide strong leadership to the Advisory Committee as we continue to work together to bring to justice those responsible for acts of terrorism against this nation, target corporate and economic crime, combat gun violence and illegal drugs, and protect the civil rights of all Americans. The Attorney General appointed Mercer as United States Attorney for the District of Montana on Apr. 21, 2001. He was confirmed by the United States Senate as the Presidentially appointed United States Attorney on Nov. 19, 2001. He served as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Montana from 1994 to 2001. During that time he also served on the Adjunct Faculty for both the University of Montana (1997-1999) and Montana State University - Billings (1996). Prior to joining the United States Attorneys Office, Mercer was Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General and Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Policy Development, Department of Justice (1989-1994); and from 1988-1989 held the position of tax specialist with the Revenue Estimating Division, Office of Tax Policy, United States Department of the Treasury.
The following is a list of the 2004 Advisory Committee effective May 1, 2004: William W. Mercer, United States Attorney, District of Montana, Chair Paul J. McNulty, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, Vice Chair Michael A. Battle, United States Attorney, Western District of New York Mary Beth Buchanan, United States Attorney, Western District of Pennsylvania Christopher J. Christie, United States Attorney, District of New Jersey Jeffrey G. Collins, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Michigan Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois Karin J. Immergut, United States Attorney, District of Oregon Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida Charles W. Larson, Sr., United States Attorney, Northern District of Iowa Alice H. Martin, United States Attorney, Northern District of Alabama Kevin J. OConnor, United States Attorney, District of Connecticut Michael T. Shelby, United States Attorney, Southern District of Texas Johnny K. Sutton, United States Attorney, Western District of Texas J. Strom Thurmond, Jr., United States Attorney, District of South Carolina Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Kentucky Debra W. Yang, United States Attorney, Central District of California Roscoe C. Howard, Jr., United States Attorney, District of Columbia, ex officio Paul M. Warner, United States Attorney, District of Utah, ex officio Gretchen Leah Witt, Civil Chief, District of New Hampshire 04-215
Source: US Department of Justice
