Recent Press Releases

*President Bush nominates current U.S. Attorney to fill post*



WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning released statements today following President George W. Bush’s nomination of Amul R. Thapar to be a Federal Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Thapar will replace retiring Chief Judge Joseph M. Hood.



“President Bush has selected an exceptional individual to replace Judge Joseph Hood,” said McConnell. “Amul Thapar has impressively served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and I’m confident he will do the same in this new role.”



“I am pleased President Bush has nominated Amul Thapar to be Federal Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky,” said Bunning. “Amul Thapar has served the people of Kentucky with great distinction as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District and he will put to good use his in-depth knowledge of the legal system on the Federal bench. I hope the Senate confirms him as soon as possible.”



Mr. Thapar, a resident of Edgewood, Kentucky, currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. He previously worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.



Mr. Thapar is a graduate of Boston College and earned a law degree from the University of California.



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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to open three new community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Kentucky. Earlier today, McConnell spoke with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson about the clinics, which will be located in Daviess, Grayson, and Madison counties.



According to the VA, they will become operational in 2007 and 2008. Local VA officials will keep communities and their veterans informed of progress in the creation of the new CBOCs.



“This is exciting news for Kentucky’s veterans. These clinics will give veterans greater access to health care and other services by bringing the VA system closer to home,” said McConnell. “I appreciate Secretary Nicholson for recognizing the importance of these clinics to the deserving veterans of my home state.”



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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today following President George W. Bush’s nomination of Dr. James Holsinger to be Surgeon General:



“Dr. Holsinger is a proven leader who has dedicated his career to improving health education and services in Kentucky and across the nation,” said McConnell. “He is an excellent choice for Surgeon General and I look forward to his quick confirmation.”



Holsinger is currently the Wethington Chair in the Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky. He previously served as Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher.



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