Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder praised the U.S. attorney for the southern district of Mississippi as a man with keen intellect and a tireless work ethic during an investiture ceremony Thursday in Jackson.

Holder made the comments during the formal swearing-in ceremony for Gregory K. Davis, who is the top federal prosecutor for 45 counties in his district. The ceremony was held at the Jackson Convention Complex with U.S. attorneys from Louisiana and Tennessee and a number of federal judges among those in attendance.

"Greg has demonstrated the power of civic engagement. He's built a reputation as a passionate and highly-skilled legal professional, dedicated not really to winning cases, but ultimately to doing justice," Holder said. "And he's established a record of experience that sets him apart from his peers."

President Barack Obama nominated Davis for the position in June 2011 and he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March of last year.

Davis, of Utica, has a chemical engineering degree from Mississippi State University and a law degree from Tulane Law School. He was in private law practice before being appointed. Davis said he started his law career with the Jackson law firm Stamps & Stamps. He later was a founding partner in Davis, Goss & Williams law firm.

Davis said he was "blessed, honored and humbled" to be a U.S. attorney.

"We fight for justice to improve the quality of life of all citizens. As citizens we have a right to be free from fear in our homes, on our streets and in our communities. Effective law enforcement against violent crime, drug trafficking, financial fraud, corruption and threats to our country provides public safety and peace in our communities," Davis said. "However, the enforcement of our laws does not require a compromise of constitutional rights or of civil liberties. In addition to fighting crime, our office will promote civil rights protect the environment and protect the most vulnerable — our children and our elderly."