Newly elected Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, has been named to five standing committees for the 2009 legislative session, Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, has announced.

“Democratic leadership based committee appointments on the expertise and experience our members can offer to the people of Kansas. The legislature will be taking on very important issues in the upcoming months and I am confident that Senator-elect Faust-Goudeau will work hard to protect the rights and improve the lives of all Kansans,” said Hensley.

When the Kansas Legislature convenes in January, Faust-Goudeau will be the Ranking Democrat on both the Senate Federal & State Affairs Committee and the Senate Ethics & Elections Committee.

“Senator-Elect Faust-Goudeau has long been a community activist working to motivate Wichita citizens to become engaged in the political process, leading to her appointment to the Governmental Organization and Elections Committee as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives,” said Hensley. “It was a natural fit to place her in a position of leadership on the Senate Ethics & Elections Committee; a role which I am confident she will thrive in.”

Faust-Goudeau will also join the Senate committees on Commerce; Local Government; and Arts & Cultural Resources.

“As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Senator-elect Faust-Goudeau will have a direct impact on new policies to enhance our biosciences, improve business recruitment and retention, and create an environment welcoming to local entrepreneurs,” Hensley said. “The people of the 29th District should feel confident that they have a strong voice for job creation and economic prosperity representing them on this important committee.”

Senator-elect Faust-Goudeau will be sworn into office on January 12th, 2009. The 29th Senate District includes parts of southeast Wichita and Kechi Township.