Although proud of his success during his limited time at EPA, Leavitt said he was eager to take the new assignment because his successes and failures as Utah governor with HHS issues led him to believe that "experience could be useful" in reforming major domestic programs at a national level.

And it is that experience that had Utah's two Republican senators gushing their support.

"This is a great day for Utah, and a great vote of support for a leader that I have admired for many, many years," said Sen. Orrin Hatch. "Quite simply, there is no one better than Mike to meet the many challenges facing HHS."

Hatch said Leavitt has brought innovative approaches to solving problems and then built public support to put them into action.

"He's going to make us all proud, and when all is said and done, I think he will be considered the best secretary the department has ever had," Hatch said.

Bennett said America is very fortunate to have a man of Leavitt's stature to serve in a Cabinet-level position.

"Mike served as a governor who was very innovative in many of the areas where innovation will be called for in his new assignment," Bennett said. "He served as a business executive, building a business, growing a business, helping a business to survive."

Leavitt will have a public swearing-in ceremony at some future date.

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Contributing: Boston Globe; Associated Press

E-mail: spang@desnews.com