Blumenthal Introduces Secretary of Education Nominee, Dr. Miguel Cardona at Confirmation Hearing

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to introduce Connecticut Education Commissioner Dr. c to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing to be Secretary of Education.

“He's a proud son of Meriden, Connecticut. A proud son of our public education in Meriden, of higher education, public education in Connecticut, two institutions of higher learning, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut, and he is a passionate advocate as an English language learner. His entire career is living proof that there are no limits to what anyone can achieve regardless of what their language is as a first language. And I am absolutely certain that he will be as distinguished a Secretary of Education as he was an assistant superintendent, as well as a fourth-grade teacher, commissioner of education,” said Blumenthal.

“Connecticut is solidly behind him and I think that we will miss him, but I'm sure that Connecticut’s pride will be mirrored by his accomplishment as Secretary of Education.”

Following today’s hearing, Cardona’s nomination will be voted on by the Committee and, if approved, his nomination will then receive a vote by the full Senate.

The transcript of Blumenthal's remarks can be found below.

Thank you, Madam Chair and Ranking Member Burr. I am so deeply honored and excited and proud to be here today to introduce Dr. Cardona, President Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Education. Indeed, it is one of the proudest and most exciting of my days in the United States Senate.

I have known Dr. Cardona and his family for many years, watched him rise. His rise has been, indeed, meteoric, it’s the stuff of legend. Almost mythical except it's based on real hard work and solid values gained from his parents. As he told me just moments ago, when one member of his family does well, all do well. And I think that kind of ethic is one he'll bring to his job as Secretary of Education.

He's a proud son of Meriden, Connecticut. A proud son of our public education in Meriden, of higher education, public education in Connecticut, two institutions of higher learning, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut, and he is a passionate advocate as an English language learner. His entire career is living proof that there are no limits to what anyone can achieve regardless of what their language is as a first language. And I am absolutely certain that he will be as distinguished a Secretary of Education as he was an assistant superintendent, as well as a fourth-grade teacher, commissioner of education. We're going to miss him in Connecticut for all the reasons that he will add such value and be so extraordinarily distinguished and committed to learning and teaching.

The main point I think about Dr. Cardona is, in fact, that he is dedicated with every fiber of his being to learning and teaching, and he will be a staunch and steadfast advocate and leader. He will be an advocate for disadvantaged students who are in danger of being left behind in this pandemic. He'll be an advocate for teachers who are stressed and strained during this time as never before who are such great public servants along with school administrators in gaining new opportunity for the next generation. He'll be an advocate for parents who are concerned and overwhelmed managing their children's schooling as well as their own work, and their families. And most important, he'll be an advocate for students. Students at every level, including students who are drowning in student debt that has left their financial futures crippled and deter their gaining access to better jobs and futures.

He is a proven leader. He knows how to listen. And he also knows the importance of students returning to school but doing it safely and the critical importance of making sure that vaccines are widely available. Putting vaccines into the arms of more people and putting students and teachers back in the classroom are priorities that we can all share and doing it safely.

Finally, let me just say that he is a leader of courage and conviction. He will restore integrity and professionalism at the top levels of the Department of Education. And he will do it with a caring and compassion, as well as a toughness of mind and a clear-eyed courage that have characterized his career beginning from his days as a student and going through to his serving as commissioner of education.

Connecticut is solidly behind him and I think that we will miss him, but I'm sure that Connecticut’s pride will be mirrored by his accomplishment as Secretary of Education.

I want to thank the chairman and you ranking member for this honor and opportunity to introduce him today and to share the pride that his wife, Marissa, his two children who are here watching and I'm sure his parents, as well, feel for his tremendous accomplishments in this role. Thank you very, very much.

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