Pelosi Statement on the Appointment of Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to the United States Senate

Washington, D.C.-- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after New York Governor David Paterson named Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:

"Kirsten Gillibrand came to Congress as a leader, which is why she was selected to serve on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee as a freshman and had a prominent role in passing the bipartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations bill.  She is a smart legislator who has proven her broad appeal by building consensus around real solutions to problems.

"Congresswoman Gillibrand's career speaks to the aspirations of working mothers in New York State and around the country.  She is an excellent choice and I wish her well in this new endeavor."