Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Eliot Engel issued the following statement regarding the appointment of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to the United States Senate seat previously held by new Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton:

“I want to wish my colleague Kirsten Gillibrand congratulations as she becomes Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Having worked with her as part of the New York Congressional delegation in the 110th Congress, I can say she has been a tireless advocate for her constituents. I am certain that she will bring that work ethic to her new responsibilities as the Junior Senator from New York. She ascends to a seat that has a history of significant national leaders with Hillary Clinton, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Robert Kennedy. I am certain Sen. Gillibrand will make her own mark to this seat. The people of New York need effective representatives in the United States Senate, and I look forward to working with our new Senator to achieve legislation for my constituents of the Bronx, Rockland and Westchester, in addition to our entire state.”