January 3, 2009

 Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement today after Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter named Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill the U.S. Senate seat to be left vacant by Interior Secretary-designee Ken Salazar:

“Gov. Bill Ritter gets high marks for calling on Michael Bennet to be the next U.S. Senator from Colorado.  As the head of Denver’s public schools, Bennet showed a strong commitment to improving the lives of young people, and I am confident he will bring that record of leadership to Washington.  Among our many priorities for the 111th Congress is expanding educational opportunities for all Americans and preparing them to succeed in the global economy, and Michael Bennet will be an important partner as we pursue that goal, address the needs of the American West and face many great challenges throughout the nation.”