WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s vote tonight confirming Gary Locke to be the nation’s 36th U.S. Commerce Secretary.

“I am very pleased to see Gary Locke confirmed by the Senate to be our nation’s 36th Secretary of Commerce.  The American people deserve to know that the person working every day to determine the best way to reboot this economy understands – and simply put, Gary Locke gets it.  The Department of Commerce is charged with promoting job creation, improving living standards through economic growth, increasing competitiveness, issuing patents and trademarks, and helping to set industrial standards.  I have full confidence that Governor Locke will work tirelessly to make sure American workers can prosper, our businesses can thrive, and the economy can grow – I look forward to working with him on day one.”