WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after President Obama nominated Penny Pritzker to be U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

“The last four years have seen the U.S. return from the brink of a depression to showing encouraging signs of sustained job creation. But our economy remains fragile, as millions of Americans who are unemployed or underemployed know all too well. The federal government can do much more to support private sector expansion and the creation of quality jobs. Penny Pritzker’s decades of business experience would greatly assist her in leading this effort as President Obama’s Commerce Secretary nominee. I look forward to meeting with Ms. Pritzker and discussing how the Commerce Department’s work in export promotion, advanced manufacturing, weather forecasting, and ocean resource management can continue to foster economic growth and help create American jobs.”

###