John D. Hawke, Jr. Confirmed by U.S. Senate for Full Term as Comptroller of the Currency

WASHINGTON — John D. Hawke, Jr. was confirmed yesterday by the United States Senate for a five-year term as Comptroller of the Currency. Mr. Hawke, the 28th Comptroller of the Currency, has held the office since December 8, 1998, after being appointed by President Clinton during a Congressional recess. The Comptroller is Administrator of the national banking system.

In a statement following the Senate vote, Mr. Hawke paid tribute to the staff of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and pledged to maintain the health and vitality of the national banking system. His full statement follows:

"I want to express my appreciation to President Clinton and to the United States Senate for giving me the opportunity to serve as Comptroller of the Currency. We have begun many important projects over the past 10 months and I look forward to continuing work on those initiatives and to meeting the other challenges that lay ahead.

"I intend to do everything in my power to ensure the continued health and vitality of the national banking system. In the months I have served as Comptroller, I have seen first hand the tremendous talents and energies of the men and women who work for this agency. Because of their hard work and professionalism, I am confident that the national banking system will remain strong."