January 15, 2009

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today made the following statement regarding today’s confirmation hearing for Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado, who was nominated to the position of Secretary of the Interior by President-Elect Barack Obama:

“President-elect Obama couldn’t have made a finer choice for Interior Secretary than my friend Ken Salazar. We’ve served together in the Senate for more than four years, and in that time, his work to represent Western issues and values has been his hallmark. In fact, his family’s roots in the West date back more than 400 years. The water, land and energy issues of the West are at the heart of the Interior Secretary’s job, and I believe Ken Salazar will be an excellent steward for our region’s natural resources and natural beauty.

“Ken Salazar shares my belief in the coming clean energy revolution, as well as the need to modernize our ways of delivering that energy. His commitment to ending our country’s dependence on foreign oil is strong. He did an excellent job balancing the interests of conservation and development for the people of Colorado, and I have no doubt he will do the same for our entire country as Interior Secretary.

“As an American of Hispanic descent, Ken Salazar understands this community’s historical and current contributions to our country and our region, such as his ancestors’ role in the founding of Santa Fe, New Mexico. But most importantly, he understands the community’s needs and I’m sure he will be a great advocate within the administration.”

“I look forward to a swift confirmation for Senator Salazar that will allow him to begin addressing our country’s water, land, clean energy and Native American issues as soon as possible.”

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