MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar released the following statement after U.S. Army General Joseph Votel - a St. Paul native - took command of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) this week. CENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in the United States military and covers the “central" area of the globe and consists of 20 countries -- Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. General Votel grew up on the West Side of St. Paul and graduated from Cretin-Derham High School.

“Army General Joseph Votel, a proud native of St. Paul’s West Side and the finest of military leaders, has dedicated his life to serving our country and leading our men and women in uniform. I congratulate General Votel on taking command at CENTCOM this week, and thank him for his service to our country."

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