Former U.S. Rep. Mike Parker has been picked by President GeorgeW. Bush to oversee civil works projects for the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers, the state’s U.S. senators said.

A nomination announcement was made Wednesday by Mississippi’sU.S. Sens. Trent Lott, the Senate minority leader, and ThadCochran.

Parker was in Washington today talking with Department ofDefense officials about the job and the confirmation process. Likemany other federal appointments, the posting requires confirmationby the U.S. Senate.

The former congressman from Brookhaven said today that an intentto nominate notice has been issued, and he deferred requests forcomment to the White House.

When speculation of his possible nomination surfaced last month,Parker said he would be willing to take the job that would have himoverseeing Corps projects on the Mississippi River and elsewhereacross the country.

“I have told them I would accept it if I was offered it,” Parkersaid in May.

Lott and Cochran praised the choice of Parker for the job.

“Mike Parker is a capable leader, accomplished public servantand an experienced businessman who well understands the impact andimportance of civil works issues throughout our nation,” Lott saidin statement.

Cochran said Parker is “an excellent choice for the job.”

“It is a very important position of responsibility that he iswell qualified to handle,” Cochran said.

Parker served Mississippi’s Fourth District as U.S.representative from 1989 to 1999. He switched from the DemocraticParty to the Republican Party in 1995.

After retiring from Congress in 1999, Parker made anunsuccessful run for governor. Because neither Parker nor eventualwinner Ronnie Musgrove received popular vote and electoral votemajority, the race had to be decided in the Mississippi House ofRepresentatives.