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News from the DNC blog
Rep. Solis Named Labor Secretary; Fmr. Rep. LaHood to Lead Transportation
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 17:40California Congresswoman Hilda Solis was named Secretary of Labor, and former Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood was appointed Secretary of Transportation by President-elect Barack Obama at a press conference in Chicago this afternoon.
The President-elect also named Karen Mills as Administrator of the Small Business Administration and former Mayor Ron Kirk as United States Trade Representative.
Hilda has always been an advocate for everyday people. When she received an award several years ago, she said, “Fighting for what is just is not always popular, but it is necessary.” And that is exactly what she has done throughout her career, blazing new trails every step of the way. Whether it’s creating green jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced or expanding access to affordable health care or raising the minimum wage in California, Hilda has been a champion of our middle class. And I know that Hilda will show the same kind of leadership as Secretary of Labor that she showed in California and on the Education and Labor Committee by protecting workers’ rights – from organizing to collective bargaining, from keeping our workplaces safe to making our unions strong. [...]
Few understand our infrastructure challenge better than the outstanding public servant I am asking to lead the Department of Transportation – Ray LaHood. As a Congressman from Illinois, Ray served six years on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, leading efforts to modernize our aviation system by renewing our aging airports and ensuring that air traffic controllers were using cutting edge technology. Throughout his career, Ray has fought to improve mass transit and invest in our highways. But he has not only helped rebuild our landscape, he has helped beautify it by creating opportunities for bikers and runners to enjoy our great outdoors. When I began this appointment process, I said I was committed to finding the best person for the job, regardless of party. Ray’s appointment reflects that bipartisan spirit – a spirit we need to reclaim in this country to make progress for the American people.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Obama Selects Agriculture and Interior Secretaries
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 14:12At a press conference in Chicago yesterday, President-elect Barack Obama named former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as the next Secretary of Agriculture, and Colorado Senator Ken Salazar as Secretary of the Interior.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Arne Duncan Named Secretary of Education
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 15:38Earlier today, President-elect Barack Obama named Arne Duncan, CEO of the Chicago school system, as Secretary of Education. Duncan brings a stellar record of improving Chicago schools to Washington.
For Arne Duncan, CEO of the Chicago school system, "school reform isn’t just a theory in a book -- it’s the cause of his life," President-elect Obama said in announcing him as his choice for Secretary of Education.
"In the next few years, the decisions we make about how to educate our children will shape our future for generations to come," President-elect Obama said. "And the results aren't just about test scores or statistics, but about whether our children are developing the skills they need to compete with any worker in the world for any job." [...]
"In just seven years, he’s boosted elementary test scores here in Chicago from 38 percent of students meeting the standards to 67 percent. The dropout rate has gone down every year he’s been in charge. And on the ACT, the gains of Chicago students have been twice as big as those for students in the rest of the state," President-elect Obama said.
As Chief Executive Officer of Chicago schools, Duncan oversaw the closing and re-opening of Dodge Renaissance Academy, a school on Chicago's West Side that was the site of this morning's press conference. President-elect Obama pointed out that since the school re-opened in 2003, "the number of students meeting state standards has more than tripled."
Categories: Democratic Blogs
Obama Announces Key Members of Energy, Environment Team
Mon, 12/15/2008 - 18:13President-Elect Barack Obama named Dr. Steven Chu to Secretary of Energy, and Lisa Jackson to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and more. From the release:
Today, President-elect Barack Obama announced key members of his energy and environment team, including Dr. Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy; Lisa Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator; Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change; and Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change.
Categories: Democratic Blogs
