DETROIT (AP) - Eric Holder says he owes his job as the nation's first black attorney general to the second African-American to become solicitor general, Wade McCree Jr.

Holder spoke Wednesday in Detroit, where he also attended the installation of new U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.

Addressing about 500 people at a Federal Bar Association' awards luncheon, Holder said he was a "young and idealistic lawyer" in the Justice Department when President Jimmy Carter named McCree solicitor general. The solicitor general represents the federal government in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Holder says McCree had the qualities he wanted to emulate.

Holder says he has walked through doors McCree opened and stands on his shoulders.

McCree served as a federal judge and taught at the University of Michigan until his death in 1987.