[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

                                 ______


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

                                 ______


                          DEPARTMENT OF STATE

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
consider the following nominations, en bloc:
  Calendar No. 531, K. Terry Dornbush, of Georgia, to be Ambassador 
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to 
the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
  Calendar No. 534, Thomas L. Siebert, of Maryland, to be Ambassador 
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to 
Sweden.
  Calendar No. 535, Sidney Williams, of California, to be Ambassador 
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to 
the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
  The nominations were considered, and confirmed, en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The President will be immediately notified of 
the Senate's action.
  Mr. PELL. Madam President, the Senate has pending before it the 
following nominations: K. Terry Dornbush to be Ambassador to the 
Kingdom of the Netherlands; Thomas L. Siebert to be Ambassador to 
Sweden; Sidney Williams to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the 
Bahamas; and M. Larry Lawrence to be Ambassador to Switzerland.
  Mr. Dornbush's nomination was submitted to the Senate on October 14, 
1993. The Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on November 17, 
and on November 18, by a vote of 14 to 6, favorably reported out the 
nomination with the recommendation that it be confirmed.
  The nomination of Mr. Siebert was received by the Senate on October 
14, 1993. A hearing was held by the committee on November 10 and on 
November 18, by a vote of 12 to 8, the nomination was favorably 
reported out of committee with the recommendation that it be confirmed.
  The nomination of Mr. Williams was sent up to the Senate on October 
14, 1993. A hearing was held on November 16 and on November 18, by a 
vote of 14 to 6, the committee favorably reported out the nomination.
  The nomination of Mr. Lawrence was submitted on October 25, 1993. A 
hearing was held on November 10. On November 18, the committee voted 10 
to 10 on a motion to favorably report Mr. Lawrence's nomination to the 
Senate with the recommendation that it be confirmed. Upon failure of 
this motion to pass, the committee, by voice vote, agreed to report the 
nomination to the full Senate without recommendation.
  It is important for the Senate to confirm these nominations today.
  Each of the four important posts has been vacant for some time. The 
United States has been without an ambassador to Sweden since August 
1992; our last ambassador to The Hague left post more than 1\1/2\ years 
ago; and the Bern and Nassau posts have been vacant since last March. I 
believe it is detrimental to U.S. foreign policy for us not to have had 
representation at the ambassadorial level for such a long period of 
time.
  The United States has worked closely with the Bahamian Government on 
counternarcotics issues--the most important issue in the bilateral 
relationship--and our countries have enjoyed good relations. However, 
at this time the U.S. counternarcotics strategy in the Caribbean is 
uncertain and the nature of cooperation may change. Having a U.S. 
ambassador in place as that relationship changes will be critical to 
easing the transition.
  In the post-cold-war era, we are working very closely with Sweden on 
such issues as reform in the Baltic countries, the conflicts in Somalia 
and in the former Yugoslavia, the Conference on Security and 
Cooperation in Europe [CSCE], and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. It 
is in the United States interest to expand our bilateral cooperation in 
these and other areas, but to do so effectively, we need a strong 
spokesman for U.S. policy resident in Stockholm. We also should be 
creating opportunities for enhanced United States exports to Sweden's 
relatively open economy, and to protect United States economic 
interests as Sweden concludes an accession agreement with the European 
Union. Again, the absence of a U.S. ambassador reduces U.S. presence 
and influence.
  It is my understanding that the absence of a United States ambassador 
is a topic of regular media and public comment in Holland, our NATO 
ally, and an active member of the European Union. At a time when the 
Netherlands and the rest of NATO are reassessing their role in Europe, 
discussing how we should build bridges with the countries of Eastern 
Europe, and considering how to respond to the crisis in former 
Yugoslavia, I believe that it is important for us to have an ambassador 
at The Hague. As President Clinton noted when he welcomed Prime 
Minister Lubbers to the White House on January 4, our relationship with 
the Netherlands spans the full range of European and international 
security issues as well as trade, economic, and commercial issues.
  The United States has important economic and political interests at 
stake in Switzerland. United States exports to Switzerland approach $5 
billion annually, and an activist United States ambassador could help 
us do even better. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, 
and according, it, more than some other European countries, looks to 
the United States for expanded trade and investment ties, which can 
translate into American jobs. On the political front, Switzerland is 
reassessing its participation in regional and international affairs--in 
export control regimes, anticrime and terrorism activities, security 
cooperation, reform in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and 
aid to Middle East peace. A United States ambassador in place will 
strengthen our diplomatic effort to encourage Switzerland to become an 
active partner in these and other areas.
  I ask unanimous consent that the certificates of competence submitted 
to the committee with respect to each of these nominees together with 
appropriate biographical material be printed in the Record. I urge my 
colleagues in the Senate to vote to confirm these pending nominations.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                           K. Terry Dornbush


                           biographic summary

       Name: K. Terry Dornbush.
       Position for which considered: Ambassador to The Kingdom of 
     The Netherlands.
       Present position: Private Investor.
       Legal residence: Georgia.
       Office address: Atlanta, Georgia.
       Date/place of birth: October 31, 1933; Atlanta, Georgia.
       Home address: Atlanta, Georgia.
       Marital status: Married.
       Name of spouse: Marilyn Pierce Dornbush.
       Names of Children: Laura D. Iarocci; Kirk T. Dornbush, Jr.; 
     Claire D. Archer.
       Education: B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1951-55; Emory 
     University School of Law, 1955-56, no degree; New York 
     Institute of Finance, 1956-57, Security Analysis.
       Language Ability: Currently enrolled at FSI for Dutch 
     Language training; German (Limited).
       Military experience: U.S. Army Reserve--436th Civil 
     Affairs; Military Government Company, 1957-65; Active Duty: 
     April--October 1957.
       Work experience:
       1989--Present: Private Investor, Atlanta, Georgia.
       1970--Present: Director, New York Venture Fund, (and 
     subsequently acquired or formed) Retirement Planning Funds of 
     America, Inc., Ventgure Income Plus, Inc. and Venture Muni 
     Plus, Sante Fe, New Mexico and New York, NY.
       1971--Present: General partner, Stephens Woods Associates, 
     Atlanta, Georgia.
       1979--Present: General Partner, Yulee Limited Partnership, 
     Atlanta, Georgia.
       1986-Present: General Partner, Triangle Investment Limited 
     Partnership, Nassau County, Florida.
       1983-Present: General Partner, Dorn Associates, Atlanta, 
     Georgia.
       1981-Present: General Partner, KTR, Limited, Atlanta, 
     Georgia.
       1981-Present: Proprietor, The Dornbush Company, Atlanta, 
     Georgia.
       1988-1990: Chairman of the Board, The Dornbush Group, Inc., 
     Atlanta, Georgia.
       1988-1990: Director, The Dornbush Group System, Inc., 
     Atlanta, Georgia.
       1988-1990: Director, The Dornbush Group International, 
     Inc., Atlanta, Georgia.
       1983-1990: Director, Knight Transportation Company, Inc., 
     Atlanta, Georgia.
       1976-1990: Director, Southeastern Bonded Warehouses, Inc., 
     Atlanta, Georgia.
       1981-1990: Director, WFI Transport, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia.
       1988-1990: Vice Chairman of the Board, American Western 
     Corporation, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
       1980-1989: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dixie Bag 
     Company, Atlanta, Georgia.
       1978-1986: President, Egmont Investment Company, Atlanta, 
     Georgia.
       1981-1987: President, DOAG USA Inc (subsidiary of DOAG 
     Warenhandels, AG, Hamburg, Germany).
       1978-1986: Chairman of the Board, Thermo-Materials 
     Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia.
       1975-1980: Founder, Director, Chairman of Audit and Finance 
     Committees, First Women's Bank, New York, New York.
       1968-1974: Executive Committee, Board of Directors; 
     Consultant; Hickory Furniture Company, Hickory, North 
     Carolina.
       1955-1969: Partner, Corporate Finance Department, Courts 
     and Company, Atlanta, Georgia.
       Organizational affiliations: Capital City Club; Cathedral 
     of St. Phillip (Episcopal), Atlanta, Georgia; Skin Cancer 
     Foundation Advisory Council; Vanderbilt University Alumni 
     Board of Directors.
                                  ____



  REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, UNITED STATES SENATE

     Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of 
         Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section 
         304(a)(4).
     Post: Kingdom of the Netherlands.
     Candidate: K. Terry Dornbush.

       Kirk Terry Dornbush is a private investor and successful 
     businessman in Atlanta, Georgia. His career encompasses more 
     than 35 years of experience in corporate finance, 
     international business, banking, real estate and 
     entrepreneurial endeavors. Since 1970, he has been Director 
     of New York Venture Fund. Mr. Dornbush is a General Partner 
     with the following groups: Stephens Woods Associates, Yulee 
     Limited Partnership, Triangle Investment, Dorn Associates, 
     and KTR, Limited. In addition, since 1981 he has been 
     Proprietor of The Dornbush Company. From 1980 to 1989, Mr. 
     Dornbush was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the 
     Dixie Bag Company. In 1975, he founded the First Women's Bank 
     of New York and served as a Director until 1980.
       Mr. Dornbush also is active in civic causes. He is on the 
     Skin Cancer Foundation Advisory Council and is member of the 
     Cathedral of St. Phillip. Mr. Dornbush has established 
     fellowships for graduate work in economics at Vanderbilt 
     University and for post-doctoral work in child 
     neuropsychology at Georgia State University. In addition, he 
     is on the Vanderbilt University Alumni Board of Directors.
       Mr. Dornbush was born on October 31, 1933 in Atlanta. He 
     graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1955 and attended the 
     Emory University School of Law from 1955 to 1956. From 1956 
     to 1957, Mr. Dornbush attended the New York Institute of 
     Finance. He is married and has three children.
       Mr. Dornbush's extensive and successful business and civic 
     experience make him an excellent candidate for United States 
     Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
                                  ____


                           Thomas L. Siebert


                           Biographic Summary

       Name: Thomas L. Siebert.
       Position for which considered: Ambassador to Sweden.
       Present position: Of Counsel, Besozzi, Gavin & Craven, 
     Washington, DC.
       Legal residence: Maryland.
       Office address: 1901 L Street NW., Suite 200, Washington, 
     DC. 20036.
       Date/place of birth: May 2, 1946, Cleveland, Ohio.
       Home address: Annaplis, Maryland.
       Marital status: Married.
       Name of spouse: Deborah Simpson Siebert.
       Names of children: (age 14); Lauren Elizabeth Siebert (age 
     11); Thomas Leland Siebert, II (age 6); Trevor Chapman 
     Siebert (age 1).
       Education: A.B., Georgetown University, 1968; J.D., 
     Georgetown University Law School, 1972.
       Language: French (moderate speaking/writing abilities).
       Military experience: None.
       Work experience:
       1993--Of Counsel, Besozzi, Gavin, & Craven, Washington, DC.
       1987--1993: Of Counsel, Besozzi & Gavin; Washington, DC.
       1985--1987: Partner, Hennessey, Stambler & Siebert, P.C., 
     Washington, DC.
       1978--1985: Partner, Lovett, Ford, Hennessey, Stambler & 
     Siebert, Washington, DC.
       1971--1978: Associate, Pittman, Lovett, Ford, & Hennessey, 
     Washington, DC.
       1968-1971: Aide, Office of U.S. Senator Carl Hayden.
       1966-1968: Volunteer, Office of U.S. Senator Robert F. 
     Kennedy.
       1965-1966: Intern, Office of Congressman Robert E. Sweeney.
       Honors/awards: Georgetown University Law School: Law Policy 
     in International Business Law Review (1970-1972).
       Organizational/affiliations: Member, Board of Regents, 
     Catholic University, 1989--Present; Member, Board of 
     Visitors, St. John's College, 1989--Present; Member, United 
     States Naval Academy Midshipmen Program, 1989--Present; 
     Member, United States Naval Academy Catholic Church, 1977--
     Present; Member, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1977--Present; 
     Member, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 1990--Present; 
     Member, Annapolis Association, 1989--Present; Member: The 
     District of Columbia Bar Association; Bar Association of the 
     District of Columbia, American Bar Association, and the 
     Federal Communications Bar Association.
                                  ____



   report for the committee on foreign relations united states senate

     Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of 
         Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section 
         304(a)(4).
     Post: Sweden.
     Candidate: Thomas Leland Siebert.

       Thomas Leland Siebert has served Of Counsel in the law firm 
     of Besozzi, Gavin & Craven, and its predecessor, Besozzi, & 
     Gavin, in Washington, D.C., since January 1987. Mr. Siebert 
     was a Partner in another Washington, D.C., law firm for the 
     previous nine years. He worked in the office of U.S. Senator 
     Carl Hayden as an Aide from 1968 to 1971. Mr. Siebert also 
     worked as a volunteer in the office of U.S. Senator Robert F. 
     Kennedy from 1966 to 1968, and in the office of Congressman 
     Robert E. Sweeney as an Intern from 1965 to 1966.
       Throughout his career, Mr. Siebert has been involved in 
     many civic activities. He has served on several PTA boards 
     since 1984 and is currently serving on the PTA board of the 
     Key School in Annapolis, Maryland. He is a member of several 
     community associations in Annapolis and Washington, D.C. Mr. 
     Siebert is currently a member of the Maryland Hall for the 
     Creative Arts and the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen Program.
       Mr. Siebert was born on May 24, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio. 
     He graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1972, 
     and speaks and writes French moderately. He is married and 
     has four children.
       Mr. Seibert's successful career as an attorney and his 
     extensive involvement in a number of civic activities make 
     him an excellent candidate for United States Ambassador for 
     Sweden.
                                  ____


                            Sidney Williams


                           biographic summary

       Name: Sidney Williams.
       Position for which considered: Ambassador to the 
     Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
       Present position: Sales Consultant, Mercedes Benz.
       Legal residence: California.
       Office address: 6353 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, 
     California 90028.
       Date/place of birth: March 24, 1942, Shreveport, Louisiana.
       Home address: Los Angeles, California.
       Marital status: Married.
       Name of spouse: Maxine Waters.
       Name of children: Edward K. Waters and Karen P. Titus 
     (Stepchildren).
       Education: B.A., Southern University, 1964; M.S., 
     Pepperdine University, 1973.
       Language ability: None.
       Military experience: U.S. National Guard, 1964-65 (active 
     duty); U.S. National Guard, 1965-70 (reserve).
       Work experience:
       1979--Present: Sales Consultant, Mercedes Benz, Hollywood, 
     California.
       1983-1993: Speaker/Mentor to Youth Groups on events such as 
     King Holiday, Career Days, Black History Month.
       1976-1979: Project Manager, City of Los Angeles Community 
     Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles, California.
       1974-1976: Legislative Aide, Los Angeles City Council, 10th 
     District, Los Angeles, California.
       1966-1974: Business Developer, Black Economic Union, Los 
     Angeles, California.
       1964-1969: Professional Football Player: Cleveland Browns, 
     Cleveland, Ohio; Washington Redskins, Washington, D.C.; 
     Baltimore Colts, Baltimore, Maryland; Pittsburgh, 
     Pennsylvania.
       Organizational affiliations: Member, Board of Directors, 
     Southwest Community College Foundation; Member, Alpha Phi 
     Omega Fraternity; Member, National Association for the 
     Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
       Awards: Member, Cleveland Browns 1965 NFL Championship 
     Team; Member, Athletic Hall of Fame, Southern University; 
     Recipient, 4-Year Athletic Scholarship, Southern University.
                                  ____



   report for the committee on foreign relations united states senate

     Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of 
         Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section 
         304(a)(4).
     Post: Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
     Candidate: Sidney Williams.

       Sidney Williams is a prominent figure in the publication 
     entitled, ``Men of Courage'', published by Carnation Company. 
     Mr. Williams' impressive accomplishments and community 
     service earned him recognition in this outstanding journal of 
     high achievers. A leading sales consultant with Mercedes-Benz 
     since 1979, he initiated new sales strategies that earned 
     record profits for his company. From 1976 to 1979, he was 
     project manager for the Community Development Agency of the 
     City of Los Angeles. He pioneered neighborhood revitalization 
     programs that involved resident planning, government low 
     interest rate loans and private sector contractors. His 
     superb negotiating skills resulted in significant home 
     improvements for numerous families and neighborhood 
     revitalization.
       Mr. Williams also served as legislative deputy in the Los 
     Angeles City Council from 1974 to 1976. He researched and 
     crafted legislation, organized legislative hearings and 
     assisted in budget preparation.
       From 1966 to 1974, Mr. Williams was a business developer 
     for the Black Economic Union where he assisted in the 
     development of business plans for small business owners and 
     capital formation for struggling entrepreneurs.
       In addition, Mr. Williams developed strong discipline, 
     strategic thinking and negotiating skills as a professional 
     football player for the Cleveland Browns and the Washington 
     Redskins of the National Football League from 1964 to 1969. 
     Mr. Williams serves on the Board of the Southwest Community 
     College Foundation, and is a past board member of the Kazi 
     House, a drug abuse and rehabilitation center and past board 
     member of the Minority Junior Golf Association.
       Mr. Williams has travelled with the L.A. Rams football team 
     to England, Germany, and Japan as special adviser to Rams 
     owner Georgia Fontiere. He has also assisted in the 
     negotiations and the production and operations of the games 
     in those countries.
       Mr. Williams was born on March 24, 1942 in Shreveport, 
     Louisiana. He graduated from Southern University in 1964 and 
     received his M.S. from Pepperdine University in 1973. He is 
     married.
       Mr. Williams and his family have spent many of their 
     vacations in the Bahamas. He has a deep respect for the 
     Caribbean culture and will make an outstanding representative 
     for the President to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
                                  ____



  report for the committee on foreign relations, united states senate

     Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of 
         Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section 
         304(a)(4).
     Post: Switzerland.
     Candidate: M. Larry Lawrence.

       M. Larry Lawrence is a successful businessman and active 
     civic leader in California. Since 1986, he has served as the 
     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel del 
     Coronado Corporation. From 1963 to 1986, Mr. Lawrence was 
     Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Del 
     Properties Incorporated. Prior to 1963, he was a top 
     executive with a number of different real estate companies.
       Throughout his career, Mr. Lawrence has been very active 
     with community groups in San Diego and with other national 
     civic organizations. He is on the National Advisory Board of 
     the Center for National Policy and, since 1972, has been the 
     Chairman for the Israel Bond Campaign. He was a member of the 
     Task Force on Housing for the Urban Coalition and, from 1984 
     to 1985, Mr. Lawrence was Vice Chair of the Nobel Peace Prize 
     Nominating Commission. He has received a number of honors 
     including the Outstanding Community Leadership Award from San 
     Diego State University and the Gold Medal commemorating the 
     40th Anniversary of the State of Israel.
       Mr. Lawrence was born on August 16, 1926 in Chicago. He 
     attended the University of Arizona from 1945 to 1947. He is 
     married and has four children.
       Mr. Lawrence's long involvement in business, civic and 
     public service activities and his close relationship with the 
     President make him an excellent candidate for United States 
     Ambassador to Switzerland.


                           biographic summary

       Name: M. Larry Lawrence.
       Position for which considered: Ambassador to Switzerland.
       Present position: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; 
     Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, California.
       Legal residence: California.
       Office address: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, California 
     92118.
       Date/place of birth: August 16, 1926, Chicago, Illinois.
       Home address: Coronado, California.
       Marital status: Married.
       Name of spouse: Shelia Davis Lawrence.
       Number of children: Leslie Ann Caspi, Robert Scott 
     Lawrence, Andrea Sue Lawrence, Stephanie Kinnamon Lawrence.
       Education: University of Arizona, 1945-47.
       Language: None.
       Military experience: United States Merchant Marines, 1944-
     45.
       Work experience:
       1986-Present: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hotel 
     del Coronado Corporation.
       1963-86: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, 
     Del Properties Incorporated.
       1960-63: Owner and Chief Executive Officer, M. Larry 
     Lawrence & Associates.
       1954-60: Vice President, Tri-W Builders.
       1950-54: Vice President, Great American Homes.
       1948-50: President, Century Incorporated.
       Honors/awards: Rotary, Paul Harris Fellow; Who's Who in 
     America; California; World Jewry; Man of the Year, City of 
     Coronado and County of San Diego; San Diego Citizen of the 
     Year; Recipient, Alumni Achievement Award, University of 
     Arizona; Recipient, Israel 40th Anniversary Gold Medal; 
     Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society; Outstanding Community 
     Leadership Award, San Diego State University; The Alexis 
     de Tocqueville Society-United Way; Israel Bonds Prime 
     Minister's Club; Recipient, Russian Federation 40th 
     Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 
     Medal; Man of the Year, Saint Vincent de Paul Village.
       Memberships/affiliation: National Advisory Board, Center 
     for National Policy; Chairman, Economic Advisory Board of San 
     Diego County, San Diego, California; Charter Member, 
     California State Senate Commission on Efficiency and Cost 
     Control in State Government; Life Member, the Guardians; 
     Charter Life Member, San Diego University History Research 
     Center; Navy League of the United States, 1976-84; Chairman, 
     Israel Bond Campaign, 1972-93; Director, Greater San Diego 
     Sports Association, 1980-84; Director, Vietnam Veterans 
     Leadership Program of San Diego, Inc., 1980-84; Vice Chair, 
     Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Commission, 1984-85; Life 
     Member, President's Club, University of San Diego; John F. 
     Kennedy Library Foundation Board; President's Council, 
     Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, 1984-93; The American 
     Israel Public Affairs Committee Board, 1980-89; International 
     Center for Development Policy, 1987-88; The Wellness 
     Community Advisory, 1987-89; American Merchant Marine 
     Veterans Association, 1975-93; Executive Committee, The Joan 
     Kroc Hospice Center, 1987-88.
  Mr. DODD. Madam President, I rise in support of the nomination of 
Sidney Williams to be the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth 
of the Bahamas and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
nomination.
  While there is no simple formula for a U.S. ambassador, there are 
certain qualities we look for in any candidate for such a position. We 
expect our ambassadors to have an ability to negotiate, an ability to 
listen and learn, and a solid record of achievement.
  It is in this context that we consider Sidney Williams to be our 
Ambassador to the Bahamas. The Bahamas is perhaps not commonly regarded 
as our most strategic or our most essential ally in this hemisphere. 
But our relations with the Bahamas are very important to be sure, 
especially in the context of the illicit drug trade and the need for 
the Bahamas' continued cooperation in stemming that evil tide.
  Over the course of his career, Mr. Williams has had a wide range of 
professional experiences, from playing professional football to helping 
small businesses to working in local government. And there is ample 
evidence to suggest that he has done them well. This wide range of 
activities and experiences will no doubt serve him well in his new 
position should he be confirmed as our Ambassador to the Bahamas.
  Since 1979, Mr. Williams has been a leading sales consultant with 
Mercedes-Benz, helping to formulate and to implement new sales 
strategies. From 1976 to 1979, he served as the project manager for the 
Community Development Agency of the city of Los Angeles, pioneering 
neighborhood revitalization programs. From 1974 to 1976, Mr. Williams 
served as a legislative deputy in the Los Angeles City Council, where 
he researched and crafted legislation, organized legislative hearings, 
and assisted in budget preparation.
  From 1966 to 1974, Mr. Williams served as a business developer for 
the Black Economic Union, where he assisted in the development of 
business plans for small business owners and capital formation for 
struggling entrepreneurs. And from 1964 to 1969, Mr. Williams played 
professional football for a number of teams, including the Cleveland 
Browns, the Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Colts.
  Last November, I chaired a hearing on Mr. Williams in the 
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs. I have also had the 
pleasure of meeting and getting to know Mr. Williams throughout the 
course of the nomination process. On the basis of these and other 
discussions with the nominee, I am confident that Sidney Williams will 
do an effective and capable job as our representative in the Bahamas, 
and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this nomination.

                          ____________________