see also: in January 2002:   U.S. Customs Agents Search Wire Transfer Firm Suspected of Sending Millions to Iraq in Violation of Embargo   U.S. Customs Service Inspectors Locate 1,700 Pound Marijuana Load   U.S. Customs Publishes List of First Disbursements Under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000   Area U.S. Customs Service Officers Seize More Than Two Tons of Marijuana   Customs Heroin, Cocaine Seizures Up   International Customs Day ...more

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Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Customs Service Commissioner Robert C. Bonner announced the appointment of Ms. Nicole Nason as the U.S. Customs Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Congressional Affairs. "I am pleased to have Nicole join U.S. Customs as Assistant Commissioner for Congressional Affairs," said Commissioner Bonner. "She will serve in the highly important role of keeping the Congress informed on the mission, initiatives and goals in our efforts to combat terrorism, illegal drugs and unlawful trade practices." Ms. Nason, an attorney with an extensive background in communications and governmental affairs, will oversee the agency's involvement in all legislative matters.

Prior to her assignment with Customs, Ms. Nason was the Communications Director and served as counsel in the office of Congressman Porter Goss (R-Fla.). Her responsibilities included acting as a spokesperson for the Congressman, as well as initiating and coordinating his media activities.

Prior to joining Congressman Goss's staff, Ms. Nason worked as a Governmental Affairs Counsel for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In this position, she represented the company before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies in a variety of issues, including electronic commerce, tort reform, and comprehensive pension reform.

Ms. Nason also served in a number of positions with the House Committee on the Judiciary. She was the Deputy Director of Communications for the House Impeachment Inquiry, a Counsel for the Subcommittee on Crime, and an Assistant Counsel for the Judiciary Committee.

Ms. Nason is a partner and volunteer with the Cornerstone School of Washington, DC. She also is a volunteer student advisor and peer counselor at The American University, where she received her B.A. in Political Science.

Ms. Nason received her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University Law School and is a member of the Maryland State Bar.