Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on U.S. Attorney Ron Machen’s Decision to Temporarily Move From the District

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement on U.S. Attorney Ron Machen's decision to temporarily move outside the District of Columbia:

"U.S. Attorney Ron Machen has informed me of the circumstances that will compel him to leave his residence in the District of Columbia and temporarily move to Maryland, where he owns a home. I think most residents will understand the reasons for his decision. We are fortunate that Ron Machen is in the mold of Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr., and the best since Holder served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. No U.S. Attorney in memory has confronted such challenges from within the city government or has handled them more deftly. At the same time, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has unique federal responsibilities that have needed the same attention he has given to local affairs.

U.S. Attorney Machen's attention to allegations and issues involving city officials has been critical to my efforts to keep Members of Congress from involvement in our purely local affairs. Mr. Machen has exercised the deliberateness associated with the best prosecutors, who always give preference to thorough investigation over hurried prosecutions. All along, he has made clear that his work in the District is not complete. I believe that it is in the best interest of the city and its residents that he complete that work. I am pleased that he has made the decision to do so.

Residents have seen Ron Machen's strong commitment to our city in his many community meetings, in his ubiquitous presence in the city, and in the city's crime rate, now at its lowest point in more than 50 years. His decision to incur out-of-state tuition to keep his children in D.C. public schools is among the many actions that show that Ron Machen, who started his career here, is truly one of us. We wish him well and will be happy to have him back as a neighbor in a new home with his family."

Published: December 27, 2012