Statement by Lt. Governor Brad Owen on Gary Locke as U.S. Secretary of Commerce nominee:

“I see Gary Locke’s appointment as Commerce Secretary by President Obama as a huge positive for the state of Washington. We are often called the most trade dependent state in the nation, and from that standpoint it is critical to the success of our economy to have someone as commerce secretary who knows and understands trade-driven issues. I can think of no better person to be in this role as our former governor, who did so much with international trade while in office, particularly with Asia. He has continued to be a major power in that arena in the private sector”.