Following is the comment of Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, on Attorney General John Ashcroft’s selection of Kenneth Feinberg as the Special Master to oversee the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Program:

"I am pleased that the Attorney General picked Ken Feinberg as the Special Master. This is a good choice for a tough job. Nothing can fully prepare anyone for this difficult and unprecedented post, but Ken comes close with years of experience in resolving disputes in mass tort cases. I look forward to working with him to deliver fair and prompt compensation to the September 11th victims and their families."