WASHINGTON --  U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after President Obama nominated Sally Jewell to serve as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior:

"Sally Jewell is a unique and exciting pick to head up the Department of the Interior. If confirmed, she would bring to the position an array of skills from her business background in energy development and as the CEO of a wildly successful outdoor outfitter. 

"I look forward to meeting with her as she works through the nomination process and learning more about her personal commitment to conservation, environmental stewardship and responsible energy production. I am also interested in her perspectives on issues that are important to New Mexico, like Interior’s roles in water management, wildfire protection and tribal sovereignty."