Congratulations to Dr. John King, Jr., whom the Senate confirmed today to lead the U.S. Department of Education. Secretary King brings to the position experience at the local, state and federal levels and is deeply committed to ensuring that all children, no matter their zip code or the color of their skin, have equal access to the quality education they deserve. It was a pleasure to welcome Dr. King to my district last month when Miami-Dade County accepted President Obama's My Brother's Keeper Community Challenge. His appointment comes at a pivotal period for the education community and with two major challenges: implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act and developing policies to make higher education both more accessible and affordable. I am confident that he will do an excellent job.