CAPAC Welcomes Vivek Hallegere Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy as the next U.S. Surgeon General by a vote of 51-43. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“I congratulate Dr. Vivek Murthy on his historic confirmation as the Surgeon General of the United States. This confirmation comes at a critical time for our nation as we work to address various public health concerns, including the Ebola epidemic abroad. Dr. Murthy is the first Indian American to hold this position, which is a testament to both his own distinguished career and the great strides made by the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. His experience, talent, and compassion evinces the very characteristics needed in a Surgeon General.

“I applaud Senate Majority Leader Reid for his strong leadership and unwavering commitment to prioritize this important confirmation. CAPAC has been proud to support Dr. Murthy throughout his confirmation process, and we look forward to working with him to make our country healthier and safer.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):

“Dr. Vivek Murthy is highly qualified to serve as our nation’s next U.S. Surgeon General, and I congratulate him on his confirmation. Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Murthy to discuss his experiences. I am particularly impressed by his work at a company he founded where he identified inefficiencies in clinical drug trials and then developed solutions to help treatments get to market more quickly. These are the kinds of innovative ideas that will keep Americans healthier, longer. We need a Surgeon General who will roll up his sleeves, survey the evidence, and take action. I am confident Dr. Murthy is that Surgeon General.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

“The Senate’s confirmation of Vivek Hallegere Murthy as Surgeon General is great news for the nation and for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. His qualifications were never in question—the only delay was because one faction of the Republican Party chose to play politics with America’s health. Dr. Murthy’s confirmation strengthens the AAPI community’s voice and presence, and marks a positive step toward addressing the need for greater diversity in all levels of government. His confirmation also gives voice to overcoming AAPI health disparities and barriers to health care, including a lack of available culturally competent and linguistically accessible health care. As a physician, educator, and innovator, Dr. Murthy’s wealth of knowledge on public health issues will ensure his success in his new role. I’m looking forward to his great work safeguarding the health of our nation.”

Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07), CAPAC Health Care Task Force Co-Chair:

“I’m thrilled the Senate has confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy as our next Surgeon General. As a practicing physician and instructor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a champion of innovation in medicine, and a leader in the medical community, Dr. Murthy is an excellent choice for this role, and his appointment is historic for the Indian American community. As a doctor myself, I also know that the American people will benefit from having a trusted physician leader to help them navigate the complex medical issues we face today.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), CAPAC Health Care Task Force Co-Chair:

“Dr. Murthy is an eminently qualified physician that has won the support of our nation’s preeminent health and physicians groups and shown strong public health leadership at home and abroad. He will make history as our nation’s youngest and first Asian American Surgeon General. In October, I co-led a letter, signed by more than 90 Members of Congress, calling for Dr. Murthy’s confirmation. I am glad the Senate has finally confirmed our nation’s top doctor.”

Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-14), Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans Co-Chair:

“I congratulate Dr. Murthy on his confirmation as our nation’s next Surgeon General. He is a dedicated fighter for public health, and I know he will work tirelessly to improve the health of all Americans. I was proud to stand with him during his confirmation process, and I look forward to working with him in his new role. The confirmation of the first surgeon general of Indian descent is a victory for the entire Indian-American community, whose young children will grow up knowing that anything is within their reach. It’s a victory for our medical community, with a dynamic and skilled physician leading our public health policies as our nation’s top doctor. And, this is a victory for the American people and ensuring better health for all.”

Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-06):

“I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy as the next United States Surgeon General. For more than 20 years, Dr. Murthy has worked to improve public health through education, research, and by providing care. I am confident that his education and experience will enable him to provide strong leadership as the nation’s doctor.”  

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06):

“Dr. Murthy will make an outstanding Surgeon General, and I applaud the Senate for confirming him. Although the vote was long overdue and never should have taken this long, I am happy that it finally occurred. I now look forward to him getting to work to address the important health needs of Americans. I am also excited to share this historic moment with the Indian-American community. Less than a week after the Senate approved Richard Verma as the first American of Indian descent to serve as Ambassador to India, Dr. Murthy was confirmed as the first Indian-American to be Surgeon General. These outstanding, back-to-back accomplishments illustrate the continued growth and influence of Indian-American community, and highlights the exceptional contributions that Indian-Americans make to our nation. I am proud to congratulate Dr. Murthy, and cannot wait to work with him to improve the lives of Americans.”

Congressman Charles B. Rangel (NY-13):

"I am proud that we will have a Surgeon General who will lead our nation in combating serious threats to our public health, ranging from deadly viruses to gun violence. The story of Vivek Murthy's rise to become our Top Doc as a 37-year-old British born Indian American is also a testament to the immeasurable contributions made by immigrants to make America even greater."

Background:

President Obama nominated Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy to be the U.S. Surgeon General in November 2013. In October 2014, several CAPAC Members led a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, urging them to expedite the confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy.

Since 2009, Dr. Murthy served as the President and Co-Founder of Doctors for America. He is also a Hospitalist Attending Physician and an Instructor in Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School. He received a B.A. from Harvard, an M.B.A. from Yale School of Management, and an M.D. from Yale School of Medicine.

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.