U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Terrell L. Halaska as assistant secretary of education for legislation and congressional affairs.

"Terrell is a wonderful addition to the Department of Education. Her extensive experience in another Cabinet agency and on Capitol Hill will prove invaluable in our efforts to reach out to members of Congress," Secretary Spellings said.

In her new position, Halaska will be responsible for the Department's Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, which provides the direction, planning, and development of the legislative goals of the Department. Her office works with the Congress to assure the receipt of necessary information relating to policies, appropriations, and programs and to assure the Department's responsiveness to their requests.

Previously, Halaska served as Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy in the White House Office of Policy Development, where she provided policy advice on family and children's issues, including: welfare reform, early childhood education, child welfare, adoption, housing and homelessness. She also served as Deputy Chief at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Secretary Tommy Thompson. Before accompanying Thompson to HHS, she served on his gubernatorial staff as Director of the Washington Office for the State of Wisconsin. There, she interacted with the Wisconsin Congressional delegation and the Administration on issues of importance to the state. On Capitol Hill, Halaska served as press secretary to Congressman Scott Klug (R-WI).

Halaska received her master's degree in Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA and her bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego. She lives in the District of Columbia.

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