WASHINGTON – Commerce Secretary John Bryson says he is resigning after suffering a seizure earlier this month in the Los Angeles area.

President Barack Obama says in a statement that he has accepted the resignation and thanks Bryson for the "invaluable experience and expertise" he brought to the administration.

Bryson says in a letter to Obama that he is concerned his seizure "could be a distraction" from his performance as secretary and says the nation would be better served by "a change in leadership" at the department.