It is a signal honor to be nominated for any post by the president of the United States and what an honor it was to have one of our own recently nominated to become U.S. surgeon general.

Dr. James W. Holsinger, the former secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and a professor at the University of Kentucky, was tapped by President Bush recently to become the 18th person to fill this most vital position. His nomination now goes to the Senate for confirmation hearings.

President Bush certainly tapped a fine and very qualified man for this post.

Holsinger, 68, has a medical degree from Duke University Medical School; a doctorate in anatomy from Duke; a master's degree in hospital financial management from the University of South Carolina; a bachelor's degree in human studies from UK; and a master's degree in biblical studies from the Asbury Theological Seminary.

He also worked in the Veterans Administration from 1969 until 1994, rising to chief medical director and undersecretary of health for the agency's Veterans Health Administration under former President George H.W. Bush.

The list of his accolades goes on and on.

Holsinger has vast knowledge of the tough issues that he will likely face in his post once confirmed.

Not only would Holsinger become the 18th surgeon general, he also would become the first Kentuckian to ever hold that post.

His appointment to this post would be beneficial to the nation as well as our state.

As has been documented, Kentucky ranks near the bottom in obesity, especially obesity among children.

Holsinger said, if appointed, he would focus on educating parents and children about childhood obesity.

President Bush could hardly have nominated a man of more knowledge and character than Dr. Holsinger.

We urge the U.S. Senate to quickly confirm his nomination so he can begin the important work ahead of him.