News Release

Statement by Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, On the Nomination of Diane D. Rath as Assistant Secretary for Children and Families

I applaud the President’s nomination of Diane Rath. She is an excellent choice to lead a key federal agency promoting the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities.  

As chair of the Texas Workforce Commission, Diane has succeeded at the state level in creating opportunities for individuals and families in Texas.

First appointed to the commission in 1996, and named chair in 1998, she has overseen the development of a new workforce delivery system, a decrease in welfare rolls of more than 71 percent, and the transition of more than $800 million per year to the control of local boards.  Under her watch, Texas earned more than $84 million in incentive awards for successes during the past four years in administering Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) job placement and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

I am confident Diane’s state experience will be a tremendous asset at the national level as we strive to meet the needs of America’s children and families.  I look forward to welcoming her to the HHS leadership team and urge the Senate to act quickly on her nomination.

###

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: January 12, 2009