Obama taps Rep. Barbara Lee for U.N. post

President Barack Obama intends to nominate a Bay Area legislator to represent the U.S. Congress at the United Nations, White House officials announced Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, would serve in the Seventieth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations starting this year, in addition to her duties in the U.S. House of Representatives, White House officials said.

Lee previously represented Congress in the Sixty-Eighth General Assembly, according to her office.

The president intends to nominate U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, and Cassandra Butts of the Millennium Challenge Corporation along with Lee, White House officials said.

The president said in a statement:

“I am confident that these individuals will serve the American people well, and I look forward to working with them in the months to come.”

Lee also earned the support of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco.

“With her impeachable integrity, intellect, courage and willingness to be an unwavering voice for global peace and prosperity, Congresswoman Lee will continue to advocate for the resources needed to build a strong U.N. and better world,” Pelosi said in a statement.

Pelosi’s office said one of Lee’s contributions since she was elected to Congress has been to author or co-author every major bill or law dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Lee said in a statement that she is:

“… deeply honored by this nomination. I look forward to representing my Congressional colleagues at the United Nations and working to strengthen relations between parliamentarians around the globe.”

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