ASHCROFT NAMED TO SENATE PANEL

WASHINGTON -- Missouri's John Ashcroft will be one of three freshman Republicans on a Senate panel that will recommend GOP committee assignments for the next session of Congress.

"These appointments are of particular importance this year since Republicans have gained control of Congress," Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran said Wednesday in announcing his appointments to the Committee on Committees.

"These members will play a significant role in the reorganization of the U.S. Senate," said Cochran, who chairs the Senate Republican Conference.

Besides Ashcroft, Cochran's other appointees to the Committee on Committees are Sens. Larry Craig of Idaho, Ted Stevens of Alaska, Orrin Hatch of Utah, John Warner of Virginia and Slade Gorton of Washington, and Sens.-elect Rod Grams of Minnesota and Bill Frist of Tennessee.