Colorado congresswoman Diana DeGette today endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.
“Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience needed in the next president of the United States,” said DeGette. “Under her leadership, we will finally provide quality, affordable health care for every American. These challenging times call for a leader with Hillary Clinton’s ability to hit the ground running on her first day in the White House.”
Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., named DeGette national co-chair of her Health Care Policy Task Force and an adviser on stem-cell research.
“I admire Diana’s tireless commitment to unlocking the potential of stem-cell research and expanding health-care access for all Americans,” Rodham Clinton said. “I’m honored to have her support and delighted she’ll lead our efforts in Colorado.”
The Clinton campaign noted that since being elected to Congress, DeGette has risen steadily through Democratic leadership ranks to become chief deputy whip.
“A leading proponent of stem-cell research, Rep. DeGette achieved national prominence as the chief architect of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act that could overturn President Bush’s ban on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research and institute a strict ethical framework for stem-cell research,” the campaign said.
It also noted that DeGette played a vital role in reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health care to more than six million children, and is a leading advocate for consumer-product and food safety in the House.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
