“I am thrilled to have been appointed to a committee that will allow me to play a major role in expanding access to health care, combating global warming, and making our country truly energy independent. In particular, health care reform has always been an issue central to my public service, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to continue the work I started as Chair of the Public Health Committee in Hartford.

“For the first time in over a decade, Connecticut will have a seat on one of the most influential committees in Congress. Under the leadership of Chairman Henry Waxman and President-Elect Obama, the Energy and Commerce Committee will be at the center of the most important policy debates of the next two years. I look forward to being Connecticut’s voice at the table as we construct landmark health care and energy reform legislation.

“I am especially grateful to my friends John Larson and Rosa DeLauro, who lobbied hard on my behalf for this assignment. We might be a small state, but we have a powerhouse delegation that is now represented on every major committee in Congress. That’s a great thing for Connecticut.”

Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chair-elect of the House Democratic Caucus said,

“This appointment means a lot to Chris Murphy, but it means even more to the people of Connecticut whom he has served tirelessly over the past two years in Congress. This Committee will make key decisions on some of the most important issues of our time – healthcare reform, alternative energies, combating global warming. I am thrilled that Chris Murphy will lend his steady voice to the debate. Chris’s new committee assignment comes because of the great work he has done and the leadership he has exhibited as a freshman member of Congress. I congratulate him and his constituents.”

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee said,

“Chris is ideally suited to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee. As the Committee undertakes some of the most pressing challenges our country faces – health care reform, investing in alternative energy, and addressing global warming – Chris will be able to bring his strong record and knowledge on these issues to the table. He will be a strong voice for his constituents and all of Connecticut. I am very proud of the work and leadership Chris has shown over the past two years and I know he will continue to represent his district and all of Connecticut well. I congratulate him on his new committee assignment.”

“The choice of Bob Godfrey as my Deputy Speaker was an easy one,” explained Donovan. “He is considered to be one of the most knowledgeable people at the State Capitol for his expertise in the area of legislative rules and procedures and is very well respected among our colleagues. The work he previously accomplished in this position provided a great service not only for the people of his district but for the General Assembly as a whole and I thank him for accepting the role again.”

“I am grateful to the incoming Speaker for being able to serve in this important position,” said Godfrey, who has been representing the 110th Assembly District of Danbury since 1989. “Our state and the entire country face many challenges right now, and I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues at tackling these issues.”

“The assignment that I have been given by Rep. Donovan is an important one, especially in light of the economic crisis that is not only affecting the state but also the entire country,” Bartlett remarked. “The challenges we are about to face will be numerous, but I am confident that we can work together to achieve what is best for our state.”

[...]

I'll work to protect the interests of the Second District in this position and work to protect education and the social safety net that serves the residents of Greater Danbury.”