The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NOMINATION OF GARY LOCKE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S3734-S3735 on March 24, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NOMINATION OF GARY LOCKE
Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I rise to thank my colleagues for the expeditious approval of former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as the 36th Secretary of Commerce.
I have known Gary Locke for more than 20 years and I can say to my colleagues you did the right thing tonight by approving him for this job.
He has helped our State with broadband service delivery to rural communities. Under his leadership, Washington State used E-rate funds to help develop a K-20 network, a high-speed, high-capacity network linking K-12 schools and universities across the State of Washington.
He has been involved with both public and private sector trade missions in helping to promote U.S. products abroad. At the International Trade Administration within Commerce, he will put that experience to good use. Part of that agency's mission is to provide for advocacy for American companies abroad, and it can mean the difference between whether major foreign sales opportunities go to U.S. companies or to foreign competitors.
At NOAA, which is over half the Department of Commerce's budget, Governor Locke's prior experience with the complexities of Puget Sound, endangered salmon species, and the hazards of oil spills, will all be invaluable. As Governor, Gary Locke dealt with many of our most trying fishing issues and was in charge of appointing members to the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
Fisheries in the North Pacific have been recognized by many organizations, including the U.S. Oceans Commission and the Pew Oceans Commission, as some of the best managed fisheries in the world.
In addition to that effort, Governor Locke has dealt with the complexities of endangered salmon species and getting the first locally developed regional salmon recovery plan for Washington State. I know that this expertise will be put to good use at NOAA.
Many of my colleagues understand that there are challenges at the Department of Commerce, including management challenges--from the set-
top box program for the digital television transition, to getting the NOAA satellite program back on track, to wisely investing the $4.7 billion of broadband grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
I know Governor Locke, who has never shied away from management challenges, will put his expertise to good work in making sure these programs are implemented effectively.
He worked with Democrats and Republicans in our State after the tech bubble crisis to come up with a budget and spending reduction proposals that were certainly unpopular at the time, but what the State budget needed. I know he will continue in the same bipartisan fashion as Secretary of Commerce.
I believe Governor Locke will help round out the President's economic team. He is someone who understands the challenges many Americans face as we try to stabilize our economy. Governor Locke was born and raised in public housing. He combined an intense work ethic with part-time jobs and financial aid, and graduated from Yale University and received a subsequent law degree from Boston University.
He became the first Chinese American elected Governor in the United States when he was elected to be Governor of the State of Washington.
He is a testament to the American dream.
So I hope that as we have approved this nomination, he will get started immediately on helping our economy return to robust growth and use the great resourcefulness he has demonstrated as Governor of Washington State. He will make sure the Commerce Department plays a key role in getting our economy moving.
I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I join my colleague from Washington State, Senator Cantwell, this evening to congratulate Gary Locke on his confirmation now as our next Secretary of Commerce. This confirmation comes at an important time in our Nation's history as we all work very hard to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. We need a Commerce Secretary with the dedication and expertise to carry out policies that are going to strengthen our economy far into the future. Gary Locke is uniquely qualified for that task because he does have a lifetime of experience built on hard work, a wealth of knowledge, and a unique appreciation of the American dream.
Governor Locke understands the importance of the American dream because he lived it. His grandfather emigrated from China, and he worked as a servant about a mile from the Governor's mansion in Olympia that one day his grandson would call home. There are a lot of reasons why Governor Locke is an ideal Commerce Secretary, but I wish to tell a personal story this evening that I think illustrates his commitment to public service and to making sure we make the best decision for our taxpayers.
I first met Governor Locke when he was in the Washington State legislature and he was chair of the House Appropriations Committee and I was a new State Senator trying to get a piece of legislation passed that was critical to my constituents. As part of getting that bill passed, I had to go before then-Gov. Gary Locke as chair of that Appropriations Committee, and it was one of the toughest political experiences of my lifetime. He knew the budget inside and out. He ran me through the paces. He grilled me about what my bill would do and how much it would cost and what kind of impact it would have on the taxpayers. He was very tough. But ultimately, because he asked those hard questions and made me defend my legislation, we improved the focus of that legislation and we got it passed. Governor Locke has brought that level of expertise and dedication to the taxpayers in every single position he has held, and it makes him an ideal person now to lead the Commerce Department.
So let me say a few words about the experience Governor Locke brings to this position. One of the most critical jobs the Commerce Secretary performs is finding markets for American products and technologies. He understands how important this is, and he knows how to do it successfully. As the two-term Governor of the Nation's most trade-
dependent State, he spent 8 years breaking down trade barriers and promoting our American products, from airplanes to apples to operating systems. He has led numerous successful delegations to our Asian trading partners to help build those relationships. He also understands that the health of the environment has a direct impact on our quality of life and on our economy.
All of Governor Locke's experience means he is going to hit the ground running as our Commerce Secretary as we confront global climate change and other environmental concerns, including the management of our fisheries. So I was very pleased to help support the confirmation of Gary Locke. He won unanimous approval from our Commerce Committee, and today he won unanimous approval from the Senate. He has served the people of Washington State well, and he will bring that same level of commitment and intelligence to this administration.
Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
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