TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the prime sponsor of legislation creating the new Department of Children and Families in State Government, issued the following statement today regarding the Senate confirmation of Kevin Ryan to head the new Department by a vote of 34-0:
“I’ve known Kevin as a passionate and capable advocate for children, both as the first New Jersey Child Advocate and as the Commissioner of Human Services. In each of those capacities, he has devoted his all to making sure New Jersey does what’s best for kids and does not shirk its responsibilities to the most vulnerable children in our care.
“As the new Commissioner of Children and Families, I know Kevin will continue to do all he can to support children in New Jersey. Governor Corzine has made the right choice in choosing Kevin to lead this vital, new State Department, and I look forward to continuing our work to protect and serve children in the Garden State.”