April 18, 2009
Contact: Gordon Hickey Kevin Hall (Warner)
Phone: (804) 225-4260 202-384-4453
Cell Phone: (804) 291-8977
Internet: www.governor.virginia.gov
JOINT STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR KAINE, SENATOR WARNER ON APPOINTMENT OF ANEESH CHOPRA AS NATION’S FIRST CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine and U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner today released a joint statement praising President Obama's appointment of Virginia Technology Secretary Aneesh Chopra to serve as the nation's first Chief Technology Officer. The announcement was made during the President's weekly Internet and radio address.
"Secretary Chopra's spirit of innovation has played a key role in Virginia's continued ranking as a top-performing state, including the launch of Virginia's Productivity Investment Fund which catalyzed promising ideas to lower costs and improve outcomes," said Governor Kaine. "His leadership on the role of technology to transform our healthcare and educational systems directly aligns with President Obama's top priorities."
"Virginia was the first state to establish a cabinet level technology position with a focus on promoting high wage, high tech jobs and leveraging technology for more cost-efficient delivery of government services," Senator Warner said. "I also worked closely with Secretary Chopra on Virginia’s effort to expand rural broadband access so that no region is left behind in a global economy. I applaud President Obama for demonstrating leadership in recognizing the importance of technology in our national policy dialogue."
Senator Warner appointed Secretary Chopra to several boards during his term as Virginia Governor, including the Southern Technology Council, the Board of Medical Assistance Services, and the Electronic Health Records Task Force. Governor Kaine appointed Chopra Secretary of Technology in December of 2005.
