Secretary Bodman Statement on Dr. Orbach Swearing In as DOE Under Secretary for Science

WASHINGTON, DC – Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman administered the Oath of Office to Dr. Raymond L. Orbach to be the Department of Energy's (DOE) first Under Secretary for Science, earlier this afternoon. Dr. Orbach was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 2006. President Bush nominated Dr. Orbach for the new position, created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, in December 2005. Dr. Orbach will continue to serve as the Director of the DOE Office of Science, a position he has held since March 2002.

Dr. Orbach is a condensed matter physicist and former Chancellor of the University of California – Riverside.

Secretary Bodman issued the following statement after the administering the Oath:

"Today marks an important occasion not only for my good friend Ray Orbach, but also for this department, as we elevate our science mission. As the primary supporter of physical science research in the country and home to ten national laboratories, the Department of Energy's Office of Science provides the nation and the world untold promise for discovery."

"As Under Secretary for Science, Ray will be tasked with the department's implementation of President Bush's bold new initiative, the American Competitiveness Initiative. The American Competitiveness Initiative will help us expand the United States' leadership in math and science and will allow us to continue to grow our nation's economy. I congratulate Ray on his swearing-in and look forward to his continued service to the department and to the country."