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Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is introduced as President-elect Barack Obama's Choice for Agriculture Secretary in Chicago on Wednesday, December 17, 2008

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Vilsack Confirmed as Ag Secretary

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Jan 20, 2009 at 8:25 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 20, 2009 at 8:25 PM CST

WASHINGTON - Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack has been confirmed as U.S. Agriculture Secretary.

Vilsack was one of six cabinet secretaries confirmed on Tuesday with a single voice vote of the Senate. The vote came a little more than three hours after President Barack Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th president.

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, who also serves as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says Obama made an excellent choice in tapping Vilsack for the post.

Harkin says Vilsack will bring change to the USDA and will help strengthen and rebuild the farm and rural economy.

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