SENATOR LEAHY ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Cites Obama’s Ability to Restore America’s Standing in the World

Chicago, IL – Today, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President, citing his unique ability to restore America’s standing in the world, end the war in Iraq, provide health care for all Americans, and rally this nation around a common purpose.

Chairman Leahy said, “Barack Obama is the best candidate to reintroduce America to the world – and restore hope in our country. Barack Obama represents the America we once were and want to be again. When Barack Obama is President we will lead with hope, opening the doors of opportunity to all, realizing the potential of our great nation for its citizens and as a leader of the free world. Barack Obama will be a President who once again believes, ‘Yes, we can.’ That is why I am endorsing Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.”

Senator Obama said, “I am proud to have the support of Senator Leahy. Senator Leahy had the judgment and courage to vote against the Iraq war, and he’s been a champion of our rights here at home, and of human rights around the world. He is a leader guided by integrity, respect for our Constitution and a love of this country. I look forward to working with him to stand up to the special interests, rally Democrats and Republicans together to get things done, and bring about change we can believe in.”

Leahy was elected to the United States Senate in 1974 and is currently serving his sixth term. Leahy is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a senior member of the Agriculture and Appropriations Committees. He also chairs the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.

CONGRESSMAN PETER WELCH TO ENDORSE BARACK OBAMA

Chicago, IL – Today, Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) will host a conference call to announce his endorsement of Barack Obama for President.

Congressman Welch said, “I have great admiration for all the Democratic candidates in the race. But it is Barack Obama who has brought new energy into the political process, inspiring all Americans to believe that it is possible to restore America’s promise at home and in the world. Senator Obama’s campaign and his remarkable personal journey are helping us reach across a partisan divide and renewing a sense of hope and possibility in our country that we can shape our future by working together and by emphasizing what unites us, not what divides us. Barack Obama embodies the type of leadership America needs to overcome our many challenges.”

Senator Obama said, “I am proud to have the support of Congressman Peter Welch. Congressman Welch has spent his career bringing people together to create change that makes a real difference for American families. From his time in Chicago fighting housing policies that discriminated against the poorest among us to reaching across the aisle to expand education and health care for Vermont’s families in the House of Representatives and State Senate, Congressman Welch has brought Americans together for change. I am grateful for his support in our campaign.”