THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

                    STATEMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT GORE
                 ON CONFIRMATION OF DR. JANE E. HENNEY
                          AS FDA COMMISSIONER

With its confirmation today of Dr. Jane Henney as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, the Senate has taken an essential step toward ensuring that the agency has a strong, visionary leader as we enter the next century. As new breakthroughs in science and technology continue to create great opportunities and new dilemmas, I can think of no better person than Dr. Henney -- the first oncologist and first woman FDA commissioner -- to guide us through these critical challenges.

During her confirmation hearings, Dr. Henney underscored her strong commitment to improving the safety of our nation's foods and to modernizing the FDA to encourage new progress in developing more effective pharmaceuticals and medical devices. She also shares the Administration's commitment to streamlining the FDA, which has already expedited approvals of effective drugs and medical devices while ensuring quality.

I thank the many Democrats, Republicans, and representatives of consumers, physicians, nurses, and industry who remained steadfast behind this nomination. This is tremendous victory for our nation's public health.

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