Washington, D.C.  – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) released the statement below on Congressman Adam Smith’s (D-Wash.) selection by the Democratic Caucus to serve as the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee during the 112^th Congress: 

“I congratulate my friend Congressman Adam Smith on his new role as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee for the 112^th Congress.  I am confident that Congressman Smith will be an outstanding leader and work tirelessly to protect America and support our men and women in uniform. 

“In my opinion, the House Armed Services Committee is the finest committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and it has been a great privilege for me to serve first as Ranking Member and now as Chairman of this committee.  I hope Congressman Smith will treasure this leadership position as much as I have.” 

###