The White House revealed Monday that Fran Townsend, female homeland security adviser to US President George W. Bush, has resigned.
Townsend, 45, is joining a continuous exodus of key White House aides and senior Bush administration officials in the final months of the presidency, following in the footsteps of Karl Rove, Tony Snow, Dan Bartlett and other senior White House officials.
News reports said she is leaving in pursuit of a new career in the private sector.
In a lengthy statement, Bush said Townsend "has always provided wise counsel on how to best protect the American people from the threat of terrorism," and called her "a steady leader in the effort to prevent and disrupt attacks and to better respond to natural disasters."
"With her extensive experience, intellect and candor, Fran has ably guided the Homeland Security Council," he added.
"We are safer today because of her leadership. Laura and I wish Fran, her husband John, and their two sons, James and Patrick, all the best," Bush said.
Townsend, advisor to the president for homeland security and counter-terrorism, was one of Bush's most valued and trusted advisers, with a phone on her desk connecting her to No. 10 Downing Street, the British prime minister's office.
She also brought a touch of glamour to a buttoned-down administration, and was one of the White House's most popular television guests.
Townsend, who had a warm relationship with Bush, had a varied portfolio that included White House preparations for a flu pandemic.
She was named as homeland security advisor on May 28, 2004, and chaired the White House Homeland Security Council.
Townsend previously served as deputy assistant to the president and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism.
Townsend had served as Assistant Commandant for Intelligence in the Coast Guard.
Before that, she spent 13 years at the Department of Justice in a variety of senior positions, with her last assignment as Counsel to the Attorney General for Intelligence Policy.
Townsend began her prosecutorial career in 1985, serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York.
She is a graduate of American University, with a B.A. in Political Science and B.S. in Psychology.
Townsend attained her law degree from the University of San Diego School in 1984.
(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2007)
