|
Dear Kyle,
It is a pleasure to introduce you today to the new Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee - Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois.
While we continue to mourn the loss of our late Chairman, the Honorable Robert T. Matsui of California, we know that he would want us to keep fighting - especially when two of his greatest passions, Social Security and the integrity of the House, are under concerted attack.
There is no one better to lead this fight and continue Bob Matsui's legacy than Rahm Emanuel, one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party.
In the 1980s, Mr. Emanuel held senior staff positions at the DCCC, and helped the Democrats win and maintain their House majorities. He played a major role in the election of Bill Clinton as his Director of Finance in the 1992 Presidential campaign. Mr. Emanuel then served as a top White House advisor to President Clinton from 1993 to 1998.
As a Member of Congress, Mr. Emanuel has had a meteoric rise into the upper ranks of the Democratic leadership. He led a bipartisan rebellion against President Bush's ban on re-importation of prescription drugs. Because of his toughness, he was selected by his fellow Democratic freshmen as their Democratic Whip. And, after winning reelection in November with 78 percent of the vote, he earned a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
So, even as we continue to miss our beloved Chairman Matsui, we welcome enthusiastically Rahm Emanuel as our new chair. Historical battles lie ahead in the next two years, culminating in our last chance to bring the Bush/DeLay machine to heel in 2006. Mr. Emanuel will lead this fight aggressively, with integrity and accountability.
I hope you will join me in welcoming Rahm Emanuel today.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pelosi House Democratic Leader
|