FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2009

CONTACT: DC Press Office, 202-224-4159            

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators John Kerry and Paul G. Kirk, Jr. (D-Mass.) today announced that Carmen M. Ortiz will serve as the next U.S. Attorney for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Ortiz late last night.

“Carmen Ortiz is exceptionally qualified to serve as our chief federal law enforcement official,” said Kerry.  “In a week of historic election victories for African Americans in Massachusetts, history has been made once again as Carmen is the first Hispanic and the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts.” 

"Carmen Ortiz was an excellent choice for United States Attorney by Senator Kennedy and Senator Kerry.  I’m delighted that President Obama nominated her and that the Senate has now confirmed her to be the first woman and first Hispanic U.S. Attorney for our Commonwealth,” said Senator Paul G. Kirk, Jr. “Her wealth of experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney and her strong commitment to public service eminently qualify her for this historic appointment. She’ll be an impressive advocate for justice and fairness for all our people and in all our communities.”

Ortiz, the daughter of Puerto Rican parents, served as an Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County from 1983 to 1988 and from 1991 to 1994 prosecuting everything from violent to white collar crime.  She served two years in the U.S. Justice Department as a trial lawyer in the Criminal Division and is also a former staffer of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which Senator Kerry chairs.