NASA Administrator Michael Griffin applauded the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Shana Dale as NASA deputy administrator. Dale, who most recently served as deputy director for homeland and national security, is set to become the agency's 14th deputy administrator.

"I appreciate the swift action of the United States Senate, especially Senators Ted Stevens, Daniel Inouye, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Bill Nelson in confirming Shana Dale as NASA's 14th deputy administrator," Griffin said. "With Shana coming on board, I'm confident we now have the right leadership team to guide the agency as we move forward in the next great era of space exploration."

Prior to her nomination, Dale was chief of staff and general counsel for the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President. She also has served as assistant vice chancellor for federal relations for the University of Texas System.

From 1995 to 2000, she was staff director of the House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. From 1991 to 1995, Dale served on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology as Republican Counsel for the Science and Space Subcommittees.

Dale is a graduate of the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma and received a law degree from California Western School of Law.

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