Lt. Governor Bysiewicz Statement Congratulating Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon on Her Confirmation as an Advisor in the Biden Administration

(Hartford, CT) - Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz has issued the following statement in response to State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon's Senate confirmation to the role of assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a position in which she will lead the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

"Connecticut has been incredibly lucky to have Miriam Delphin-Rittmon serving us as Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the last six years," Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. "Now, the entire country will benefit from her leadership. The Covid-19 pandemic has only magnified the twin epidemics in our society of opioid addiction and mental health needs. Commissioner Delphin-Rittmon has been a leader in guiding our response as a state to these two crises, and I have no doubt she will continue to do so at the Department of Health and Human Services. This confirmation is yet another national validation of Connecticut's leadership. I join Governor Lamont in congratulating her on her Senate confirmation; President Biden has made a very wise choice. We will miss her in Connecticut greatly but we know that she will serve her country with distinction in this new role."