FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 20, 2004

Isakson Named to Education , Health, Environment and Public Works Committees
Also Appointed to Small Business, Veterans’ Affairs

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator-elect Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today was named to four Senate committees that have jurisdiction over education, healthcare, transportation, environment, ports, veterans’ affairs, and small businesses.

The Senate leadership appointed Isakson to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (known as HELP), the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

“I am thrilled that these committee assignments will allow me to continue working on two of the most important issues in Georgia – education and transportation,” Isakson said. “I am also honored to be able to serve on the committees that serve this nation’s veterans and our small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.”

Isakson is the first Georgian in recent history to serve on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over the nation's interstate highway system, ports and the environment . Isakson previously served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives. 

"Infrastructure is our state’s single greatest need, whether it's highways or ports. I’m glad Georgia will have a seat at the table when these critical issues come up,” Isakson said.

The HELP Committee has jurisdiction over education, labor, health, pensions and public welfare issues. Isakson, who previously served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, was one of a handful of lawmakers invited by President Bush in 2000 to help write the No Child Left Behind legislation. In 1996, Isakson was tapped by then-Gov. Zell Miller to lead the Georgia Board of Education.

"One of my biggest priorities for No Child Left Behind and as a new member of the HELP Committee will be to make sure this important legislation stays its course, " Isakson said.

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee has jurisdiction over legislation relating to the needs of small businesses and the self-employed. The Veterans’ Affairs Committee oversees legislative issues concerning America’s 25 million veterans.

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