For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement after President-elect Obama announced Arne Duncan as his nominee to be the next Education Secretary.

“As a parent and a former pre-school teacher, I know that the long-term strength of our country and our communities depends on the strength of our schools.  And as a U.S. Senator, I know that we have a lot of work to do to provide first-rate educational opportunities for all our students.

“I am excited that today we have taken a step forward in meeting the many education challenges we face. Arne Duncan has proven that he can bring people together to close the achievement gap and work towards making America’s schools the best in the world. 

“I will be working with the administration and Mr. Duncan to ensure that students graduate and are prepared for the jobs of the 21st Century, that students have access to an affordable college education, and that all students and schools have the tools they need to succeed.”