DeGette Applauds Daschle Pick For Hhs Secretary

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of theCommittee on Energy and Commerce, today offered the following statementon President-elect Obama's selection of former Senator Majority LeaderTom Daschle as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services:

"I applaud the selection of Tom Daschle as our nation's top health careofficial. A leading voice in health care in this country, Tom has astrong record of fighting for affordable health care for all Americans. During his tenure as the Senate Majority Leader, he worked tirelesslyadvocating for equality in our healthcare system and since leavingoffice has continued to promote a new approach to healthcare focusingon prevention and affordable services for Americans nationwide. With 47million Americans living without health care – including 9 millionchildren – Tom will face the enormous task of fixing our broken healthcare system.

"The Obama Administration's commitment to health care reform will beguided by a true leader with Tom Daschle at the helm. I look forwardto working with him as the 111th Congress and Administration moveforward with universal health care reform."