Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley underwent surgery last week to remove a cancerous prostate gland, and will be sidelined for several weeks.
Mr. Riley was doing well after the surgery, which was successful, according to his spokeswoman, Kathryn Kahler, who spoke with Mr. Riley’s doctor.
The 61-year-old Secretary was diagnosed with cancer recently during a routine doctor’s visit. He waited until the end of the Congressional session before undergoing the surgery, which lasted nearly two hours.
The Secretary spent several days last week at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after the operation, and was expected to return to his home here this week for further recuperation.
Mr. Riley plans to return to work sometime next month, Ms. Kahler said, although he will keep in touch with Education Department officials by telephone during his recovery.
Deputy Secretary Madeleine M. Kunin will assume Mr. Riley’s official responsibilities in his absence, as well as keeping her own commitments for public appearances.
Mr. Riley is in the midst of a national campaign, which has included considerable travel, to promote parent involvement in education and the Administration’s education agenda.
He was scheduled to address the National Coalition of Parents Involved in Education this week, and Ms. Kunin will appear in his stead.
