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Michael Bennet Appointment As Colorado U.S. Senator, 1/3/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SATURDAY, JAN. 3, 2009
CONTACTS Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us Matt Chandler, 413.281.3915,
GOV. RITTER NAMES MICHAEL BENNET TO U.S. SENATE
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that he is appointing Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael F. Bennet to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate, praising Bennet as a proven 21st century leader and problem-solver in both the public and private sectors.
"This is a critical time in history," Gov. Ritter said. "The economic challenges facing America and Colorado are unprecedented. People are losing their jobs. Businesses are closing. Families are hurting. Our challenges are so serious that it will take a new generation of leaders, a new way of thinking and a bold new approach to problem-solving to steer us through this.
"Uncertain times call for certain leadership, and that's why Michael Bennet is the right choice to represent all Coloradans in the Senate. He has an impressive record of bringing people together to find common ground and common-sense solutions to complex problems, and of turning around troubled public and private enterprises and leaving them far stronger than he found them.
"Michael will bring a fresh, new approach to the economic crisis," Gov. Ritter said. "He knows we can't fix our 21st-century problems with 20th-century solutions. Working alongside Sen.-elect Udall and President-elect Obama, Michael will devote the same sense of forward-looking optimism, vision and energy to this new role that he brings to every aspect of his life and work. "
Bennet, 44, will fill the remaining two years of Sen. Ken Salazar's term. Salazar is expected to be confirmed this month as Interior Secretary.
"I am humbled and honored to serve the State of Colorado as your next U.S. Senator," Bennet said. "I stand ready to take on the serious challenges facing our country and our state. I have learned from Mayor Hickenlooper that there is no challenge without a solution and no problem too tough to withstand innovative thinking.
"My experiences, not only in public service but also in business, have taught me that when people come together, put aside partisan differences, and focus on pragmatic problem-solving, we can accomplish great things," Bennet said. "I will bring these values with me as I join a new generation of leadership in Washington, DC." Bennet was unanimously selected by the Denver school board to serve as superintendent in 2005. Over the past four years, his achievements include:
* Winning voter approval and implementing DPS' ProComp program, the nationally recognized teacher pay-for-performance system.
* Improving student learning, achievement, graduation rates, enrollment and access to early childhood education opportunities.
* Ending multiple years of multimillion-dollar budget cuts and increasing investments directly into classroom learning as well as teacher and principal training.
Prior to that, Bennet served from 2003 to 2005 as chief of staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. He helped construct a new leadership team, balance the budget after years of deficits, renegotiate several collective bargaining agreements and redesign police oversight.
From 1997 to 2003, Bennet served as managing director for Anschutz Investment Co. in Denver. He oversaw the investment of more than $500 million, led the reorganization of four distressed companies, and restructured $3 billion of debt and consolidated three movie theater chains into Regal Entertainment Group, which today is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world.
"Michael is an accomplished and highly competent leader," Gov. Ritter said. "What impresses me most are his energy, strength of character, temperament and innovative thinking. Michael is the right choice for Colorado's kids, Colorado's families and Colorado's future."
"In Colorado we have been blessed, and we can show the nation how to lead on issues like a New Energy Economy and education reform," Bennet said. "But, we are not isolated and we face our own set of challenges with the economy and protecting our land and water. Through the work of leaders like Gov. Ritter, Sen. Salazar and Mayor Hickenlooper I have seen their efforts to keep Colorado a special place, and that will be my mission every day in the U.S. Senate."
Bennet Ritter Colorado Senator Obama Udall Salazar
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