Statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff

Release Date: 03/21/05 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
March 21, 2005

Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff today issued the following statement on the resignation of General Counsel Joe D. Whitley:

“Joe Whitley has been a friend for years. I appreciate the sound counsel he has provided to the leadership of this agency and thank him for his 14years of public service.  As the first General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security, Joe has played an important role in furthering the progress and critical mission of this new Department, while ensuring that our efforts to secure the nation have been consistant with the rule of law.”

Whitley submitted his letter of resignation to President George W. Bush earlier this month.  In order to allow for a smooth transition, his resignation date has not been determined.

Whitley was confirmed by the Senate in July 2003 and was sworn in to become the Department’s first General Counsel on August 1, 2003.  As Homeland Security’s chief legal officer, Whitley oversaw the integration of approximately 1,500 attorneys from 22 different agencies into a cohesive, full service legal team.

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