Delegation Congratulates Al Lance

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter sent congratulations to former Idaho Attorney General Alan G. Lance. Sr. upon congressional receipt of his nomination to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. President Bush submitted Lanceâ??s name to Congress yesterday. Lance was initially nominated for this position last September, but no action was taken on it prior to the end of the 107th Congress. It is necessary for the President to resubmit the nomination to the 108th Congress. It is expected that the Senate Veteransâ?? Affairs Committee will hold a nomination hearing on Lance later this year.â??I am very pleased and proud that Idaho's outgoing Attorney General and my good friend Al Lance has been nominated to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims,â?? said Craig, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. â??Al is an expert on veterans affairs and served with distinction as the former national Commander of the American Legion. He will be missed in our state but his intelligence, integrity, and his love for America's fighting men and women will be of great benefit to this high court.â??â??Al Lance has been an exemplary public servant to Idaho and the nationâ??s veterans,â?? Crapo said. â??This nomination is well-deserved, and I am pleased that Al will continue to serve the veterans in our country. He has always been a strong advocate for our military veterans, and has a great deal of expertise with veterans affairs. I expect the nomination process will go very smoothly for him and offer him my congratulations on this appointment along with the thanks from many Idahoans for his years of service.â??â??I offer my heartfelt congratulations to former Attorney General Al Lance on his pending appointment. Idahoans have long known that veterans have a friend in Al Lance. As former National Commander of the American Legion, Al knows and understands veterans issues personally and professionally. As Idaho's Attorney General for the last eight years, Al has shown time and again his extensive knowledge of the law. This position will fit his skills perfectly. I have no doubts in his ability to serve our country fairly and justly. He makes Idaho proud,â?? said Simpson, Chairman of the House Veterans Benefits Subcommittee. Otter, Idaho's former lieutenant governor, is a member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations. Otter said, â??I worked with Al Lance at the state level for a number of years and know him to be of the highest personal and professional integrity. With Al's particular interest and expertise in the area of veterans affairs, and as a former national commander of the American Legion, I can think of no one more qualified or capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of this judgeship. Idaho's loss is America's gain. He has my deep respect, my warm regards and my sincere congratulations on this appointment.â??# # #