http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/10375929.htm?1cJACKSON, Miss. - Charles Pickering Sr., whose bruising battle for a seat on a federal appeals court abruptly ended when President Bush elevated him without Congressional approval, is stepping down.
Bush named Pickering to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in January under authority granted him when Congress is in recess. Such appointments, which need no Senate confirmation, are valid until the next Congress takes office, in this case in January 2005.
"A minority of senators prevented the majority from confirming me to a permanent position on the Fifth Circuit," he said in a statement Wednesday. "The actions of the minority leave me with no alternative than to retire as Congress adjourns."
"I will always be grateful to the people of Mississippi - both black and white, both Democrat and Republican - who supported my confirmation with their prayers, their words of encouragement, letters of support and trips to Washington to speak on my behalf," he said. "The people of Mississippi are a constant source of encouragement to me and my family."