President Barack Obama has telephoned his congratulations to U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, chosen by New York’s governor to fill the state’s newly vacant Senate seat.
At Friday’s briefing for the media, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama had spoken with the new senator.
Gibbs read a statement from Obama, in which he said New York Gov. David Paterson made a wonderful choice in tapping Gillibrand to fill the seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton is now serving as secretary of state.
Obama said Gillibrand has been known during her career as a strong voice for transparency and reform in government, and that she has “the integrity, character and dedication to public service to help us achieve our greatest goals.”