Low to be Sworn into Office as Calif. Commissioner Today

Justice Harry Low will be inaugurated as California’s 37th Insurance Commissioner this morning at 9:30 at a ceremony in San Francisco. Associate Justice Stanley Mosk will administer the oath of office.

In a statement, Acting Commissioner Clark Kelso said that he would remain at the department in the position of Chief Deputy Commissioner for some time “to assure a smooth transition to [Low’s] leadership.” Kelso continued: “Harry Low and I have had the opportunity to consult on several important matters as part of the transition process. There is no question in my mind that Governor Davis has made exactly the right choice in nominating Harry Low to become Insurance Commissioner. It is an inspired appointment and one that all Californians will benefit from over the next several years. I look forward to serving under Commissioner Low’s leadership.

“As my tenure as Acting Insurance Commissioner comes to a close, I want to express publicly my sincere appreciation for the support and assistance I have received over the last two and a half months. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Governor Gray Davis, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, State Treasurer Phil Angelides, to their staffs, and to the many legislators and legislative staff who have treated me with dignity and respect during this unprecedented and difficult time. I am also grateful to the consumer groups and industry representatives with whom I have had the pleasure of working.

“Finally, my most heartfelt thanks to the dedicated employees at the Department of Insurance who welcomed me at a time of crisis and supported my efforts to get the Department back on track.”