WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today released the following statement praising last night's confirmation of New Mexican Hilary Tompkins as Solicitor General for the U.S. Department of Interior:
"Hilary has the expertise and the experience to excel as the Interior Department's Solicitor General. As a prosecutor, a practicing attorney and the first Native American Chief Counsel to New Mexico's governor, Hilary showed her ability to master the difficult areas of the law that an Interior Department Solicitor must navigate. I have every confidence that she will help Secretary Salazar bring needed change to the department and to our country.
"Hilary has the skills and the values to protect our natural legacy and pass it down to future generations, and she both understands and appreciates our nation's commitment to its Native American communities. I look forward to working with her on behalf of the people of New Mexico and all of those impacted by Interior Department actions."
