Today, Dr. Anthony Fauci is testifying on Capitol Hill for the first time since leaving public service. As the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and our nation prepares to hear from him, I felt called to share my experience working alongside him for years.

Having spent a career leading government agencies and universities supporting the U.S. public health infrastructure while promoting our public health agencies and their workforce dedicated to protecting our nation’s health, I know the important role public health plays in our communities and around the world.

Following my eight years as the longest serving secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), a Washington Post article called me in 2001 “one of the most successful government managers of modern times.” All of that success was due to having gifted leaders and world-class scientists and physicians like Dr. Fauci serving in government. Dr. Fauci is one of America’s most respected public servants and brilliant public health officials in the world. No award symbolizes the achievements of his more than 50 years of service than being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush.