Bush Taps New Civil Rights Chief

W A S H I N G T O N, March 7, 2001 -- President Bush on Tuesday nominated a formerfederal prosecutor in Boston to head the Justice Department's civilrights division.

Bush nominated Ralph F. Boyd Jr. as assistant attorney generalfor civil rights. Boyd, a partner in the Boston law firm of GoodwinProctor, was an assistant U.S. attorney in Massachusetts from 1991to 1997 and aggressively prosecuted cases involving gangs and guncrimes.

‘Professional, Tough Prosecutor’ Says White House

"He's considered a professional, tough prosecutor who willaggressively enforce our nation's civil rights laws," said KenLisaius, a White House spokesman.

If confirmed by the Senate, Boyd would be the third black persontapped for a high-ranking post in the Bush Justice Department. Theother two are Charles A. James, nominated to head the antitrustdivision, and Larry D. Thompson, who was named deputy attorneygeneral.

Boyd would work closely with Attorney General John Ashcroft, whowas criticized as racially insensitive by some Democrats during hisconfirmation hearings.