The chairs of the Democratic National Convention briefed reporters on the issues of the Democratic Convention. By tradition, the Speaker of the House is the permanent chair of her party's convention. Following Pelosi's departure, Jenni Engebretsen continued to answer questions about the convention schedule- C-SPAN
Bio
Shirley Clarke Franklin
Shirley Clarke Franklin is an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and, since January 7, 2002, the mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. The 58th mayor of Atlanta, she was the first female to hold the post and became the first black woman to be elected mayor of any major Southern city. Franklin is the fourth black mayor of Atlanta, the latest in a line of African American mayors that stretches back to 1974.
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Franklin received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Howard University, and earned her master of arts degree in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an Honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Representative Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi is the Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives in the 112th Congress. From 2007 to 2011, she served as the first woman Speaker of the House and was also the first woman to lead a major political party in Congress, having served as House Democratic Leader from 2003 to 2007. Leader Pelosi has represented San Francisco, California, in the House since June 1987.
During the 111th Congress, then-Speaker Pelosi worked in partnership with President Obama to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. She also led the House effort to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the historic healthcare reform legislation aimed at providing insurance for 32 million more Americans while lowering healthcare costs over the long term. Other recent legislative achievements have included passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to improve the ability of women to fight pay discrimination and repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibited gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.
Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on April 28, 2009. Since taking office, Secretary Sebelius has led ambitious efforts to improve America’s health and enhance the delivery of human services to some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations, including young children, those with disabilities, and the elderly.
As part of the historic Affordable Care Act, Secretary Sebelius is implementing reforms that end many of the insurance industry’s worst abuses, and will help 34 million uninsured Americans get health coverage. Under the law, she is also carrying out policies that put a new focus on wellness and prevention, support the adoption of electronic medical records, and help recruit and train more primary care health providers.
In addition, Secretary Sebelius is working closely with doctors, nurses, hospital leaders, employers, and patients to slow the growth in health care costs through better care and better health. And under her leadership, HHS has formed a historic partnership with the Department of Justice to stamp out health care fraud that has already returned record sums to the Medicare Trust Fund.
Secretary Sebelius is committed to ensuring that America continues to lead the world in innovation. Under her leadership, HHS is promoting public-private collaboration to bring life-saving treatments and medicines to market. The Department is also working to build a 21st century food safety system that will prevent outbreaks before they occur. And it is collaborating with the Department of Education, to help states increase the quality of early childhood education programs, and give parents more information to make the best choices for their children.
Secretary Sebelius also leads the nation’s emergency health response to crises and natural disasters, including the Haiti earthquake, the Gulf oil spill, and the Joplin, Missouri tornado. And as America’s top health official, she continues to work with our international partners to confront global health issues like polio, HIV/AIDS, and the growing costs of chronic disease around the world.
Forbes has named Secretary Sebelius one of the 100 most powerful women in the world. Before her Cabinet appointment in April, 2009, she served as Governor of Kansas beginning in 2003, where she was named one of America’s Top Five Governors by Time Magazine. From 1995 to 2003 she served as Kansas Insurance Commissioner. She was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995.
Secretary Sebelius is the first daughter of a governor to be elected governor in American history; her father John Gilligan served as Ohio’s Governor from 1971-75. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity Washington University. She is married to Gary Sebelius, a federal magistrate judge. They have two sons, John and Ned, and a daughter-in-law, Lisa.
Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, a pharmacist for more than 28 years, represents a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. A former-five term state representative, she is now serving her fourth term as a Texas State Senator for District 26. In 2002 she became the Chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus and is currently the Chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus. Nationally, Senator Van de Putte was nominated as co-chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, joining the ranks of Texas women, including Barbara Jordan and Ann Richards. She has been actively involved in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), serving as President from 2006 to 2007. She is now serving as Chair of NCSL's Foundation for State Legislatures. Senator Van de Putte is a member of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, where she served as President from 2003 to 2005.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlines some key issues for the Democratic Convention and describes the qualities that Senator Joe Biden will bring to the Democratic ticket as Senator Barack Obama’s running mate.
Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte explains how the Democratic Convention aims to include the public and be accessible to everyone through the use of technology.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emphasizes how important the election is for women and women’s issues which is symbolized by the convention being co-chaired by four women.
Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius highlight the crucial role the involvement of young people has played in the nomination of Barack Obama and the enthusiasm they will bring to the general election campaign.
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