Obama nominates Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to U.N. Assembly

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has been nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as Representative of the United States to the Sixty-fifth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Shaheen, D-Madbury, was appointed with three others.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Representative of the United States to the United Nations General Assembly, and I thank President Obama for this nomination," Shaheen said in a statement.

"The security challenges facing America today are truly complex and global in nature. From nuclear proliferation to international terrorism to climate change, the U.S. will need to leverage support from the international community if we are to overcome these dangerous threats. American leadership will be critical to this effort. I look forward to bringing this message to the UN as we work to strengthen our alliances and protect American interests around the globe."

Obama said in a statement, "I am grateful that these accomplished men and women have agreed to serve their country in these important roles. They will be valued additions to this administration, and I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years.

Shaheen was elected to the Senate in 2008 and serves as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee where she chairs the Subcommittee on European Affairs; the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

She previously served three terms as governor of New Hampshire, where she was the first woman elected to this post.