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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday introduced Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr., the President’s nominee to be U.S. Surgeon General, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. His remarks follow:

“It is my distinct pleasure today to introduce Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr., the President’s nominee to be Surgeon General of the United States. During his inspiring and impressive career: Dr. Holsinger has led the nation’s largest health-care system, the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s health-care system, and the medical center of Kentucky’s flagship university.

“As surgeon general, Dr. Holsinger would be the government’s leading spokesperson for public health. I’ve come to know Dr. Holsinger well. He is an outstanding individual with a lifetime of public service, and I can’t think of a finer choice for this office.

“Certainly no one is prouder today than Dr. Holsinger’s wife, Dr. Barbara Craig Holsinger, and their daughters Anna, Ruth, Sarah and Rachel. His mother, Ruth Holsinger, and his mother-in-law, Betty Craig, are here as well. Their pride can only grow as he embarks on his greatest role yet in public service.

“Dr. Holsinger is currently a professor at the University of Kentucky, and teaches at both the College of Public Health and the College of Medicine. From 1994 to 2003, he served as Chancellor of the University of Kentucky A.B. Chandler Medical Center. In that role, he oversaw several graduate schools and two hospitals.

“If Dr. Holsinger has the bedside manner of a Kentucky doctor, he also has the skill and the experience to lead a large agency—as the surgeon general must, by virtue of heading up the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and its 6,000 members.

“By appointment of the governor, Dr. Holsinger served as Kentucky’s Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services from 2003 to 2005. As secretary, he oversaw Kentucky’s Public Health system. He modernized the state’s $5 billion Medicaid program that serves hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians.

“And Dr. Holsinger served for over 25 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs, ultimately as chief medical director and undersecretary for health of the Veterans Health Administration. As chief medical director, Dr. Holsinger ran the country’s largest health-care system, serving over 26 million veterans in all 50 states.

“Dr. Holsinger also served as director of the VA Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1993, he was awarded the Surgeon General’s Medallion for exceptional achievement to the cause of public health and medicine.

“He earned his M.D. and a Ph.D. in anatomy at Duke University, and as a retired Major General in the U.S. Army Reserve, surely must have only one reservation about taking this job—he will have to wear a Navy uniform.

“If confirmed, Dr. Holsinger will be the nation’s 18th surgeon general—and the first from Kentucky. As surgeon general, he will focus on educating parents and children about the risks of childhood obesity.

“Scores of people who have worked with him throughout his career can attest to his commitment to helping people live longer, better and healthier lives.

“My fellow senators, there can be no debate on the breadth or depth of Dr. Holsinger’s experience in medicine and public health.

“Being surgeon general is a bit like being a doctor with a very large stethoscope: The office gives its occupant the power to recognize health trends across America, and a bully pulpit to dispense health information for all.

“The nomination of Dr. James Holsinger is the right prescription to help America confront today’s health challenges. I have every confidence he will succeed.

“I appreciate this committee’s expeditious handling of his nomination, and I look forward to his confirmation. Thank you for allowing me to testify on his behalf.”

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‘I would encourage my colleagues to review the report, as I intend to, and to hear what General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker have to say in September’

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks (as prepared) on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the interim benchmarks report released today.

“We knew when the Senate passed the conference report that, according to this legislation, we were requiring a benchmarks report in July and a benchmarks report in September.

“Why were these dates important? First, we knew that July was important because the Baghdad security plan is now fully manned, something that was achieved less than one month ago.

“Congress wanted to send a clear signal to the Iraqi government that full cooperation and sacrifice in executing the Baghdad security plan was imperative, and that the hard work of political compromise must begin.

“We have done that.

“Second, General Petraeus informed the Senate that he and Ambassador Crocker would provide an assessment of the counterinsurgency plan to the President in September.

“Having heard that, the Senate thought it reasonable that we would be provided the same assessment, and that we could form a reasoned legislative response to that report.

“What have we learned? We’ve learned that progress is mixed, that many of the military tasks assigned to the military have been achieved, and that we have not seen sufficient progress on the political benchmarks.

“The Congress decided in May that one month of a fully manned surge was an insufficient period to call the Petraeus plan a success or failure. Certainly the young soldiers and Marines risking their lives today on the streets of Baghdad and Ramadi would agree — and they deserve our patience.

“Some of our colleagues have quite reasonably refrained from drafting new amendments that would revisit the actions taken by this Senate in May until they have at least reviewed the benchmarks report delivered today.

“I would encourage my colleagues to review the report, as I intend to, and to hear what General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker have to say in September.

“There is much at stake here. They deserve to be heard.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell – a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee – obtained $14.25 million in funding for Kentucky projects in the FY ’08 Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

McConnell used his seniority on the Appropriations Committee to direct funding to the following Kentucky projects:

$4 million for the Paducah Waterfront Development Project. “Kentucky communities along the Ohio River are transforming their riverfronts into community gathering places and I am pleased to announce this funding for Paducah,” said McConnell. Senator McConnell previously secured $5.3 million for this project.

$2 million for the Paducah Area Transit System (PATS). “I am pleased to once again secure funding for PATS because it provides a worthwhile service to area residents,” said McConnell. “Additional vehicles and other equipment can now be purchased to help meet the needs of customers.” McConnell previously secured $4.4 million for PATS.

$2 million for the Murray-Calloway County Industrial Park Development Project. “These funds will be used to help develop a new industrial park,” said McConnell. “This worthwhile investment will help create employment opportunities for the citizens of Murray and Calloway County.”

$5.25 million for the Louisville International Airport of which $3.25 million will be used for a runway widening project and $2 million for the advanced technology development and deployment program. “The runways at the Louisville International Airport need to be widened to accommodate larger aircraft,” said McConnell. “Making improvements to the airport is good for Kentucky because it helps the economy.”

$1 million for the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) in Fort Wright. “These funds will be used by the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky to replace buses in their fleet,” said McConnell. “New buses will help TANK continue to provide reliable service to their many riders.”

The FY ’08 Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill now goes before the full Senate.

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Recent Press Releases

Senator McConnell’s Testimony on the Nomination of Dr. James Holsinger to be U.S. Surgeon General

July 12, 2007

Iraq Benchmarks Report

July 12, 2007

McConnell Secures Over $14 Million for Kentucky Transportation and Infrastructure Projects

July 12, 2007