[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 41 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL POLICIES SACRIFICE EXPERTISE IN FAVOR 
                              OF DIVERSITY

                                 ______


                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 1994

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, at a time when many observers have raised 
concerns about the quality and consistency of U.S. foreign policy, one 
would assume that President Clinton would want the very best people to 
provide advice and implement his policies. It seems, however, that this 
is not the case. In an effort to enhance diversity, President Clinton 
has opted to emphasize the selection of women and minorities for senior 
policymaking positions. Obviously, there is great merit in such an 
objective and the President has the right to appoint anyone he chooses 
to serve in his administration; this Member would not suggest 
otherwise. But competence, knowledge, and experience must remain the 
fundamental criteria in the selection of key Executive branch 
personnel.
  It is with this thought in mind that this Member would call to the 
attention of his colleagues an editorial in the March 23, 1994 edition 
of the Omaha World-Herald. Entitled ``Diversity Drives Seasoned Man 
Out,'' the editorial laments the Administration's unwillingness to 
respect the State Department's recommendation and appoint one of our 
nation's most experienced diplomats, the Honorable Warren Zimmerman, to 
a position of responsibility. Having run headlong into the diversity 
wall Ambassador Zimmerman was placed in a position where he had no 
option but to end his career. This Member has no doubt that Ambassador 
Zimmerman will prosper in the years ahead, and that it will be our 
Nation that suffers from his premature retirement.

                   Diversity Drives Seasoned Man Out

       The story of Warren Zimmerman illustrates why a number of 
     people are concerned about the Clinton administration's 
     criteria for filling high government positions.
       Zimmerman, 59, was a career foreign service officer in the 
     State Department. He had held diplomatic posts in Paris and 
     Moscow and served as ambassador to Yugoslavia. The New York 
     Times said he was ``universally respected within the foreign 
     service'' and that he had ``a reputation for loyalty and a 
     non-confrontational approach to problem-solving.''
       State Department officials had created a new post, that of 
     assistant secretary of state for population and refugee 
     migration affairs. Zimmerman hoped to be appointed. Secretary 
     of State Warren Christopher backed him. The Times said 
     Zimmerman was widely considered the best qualified person 
     available.
       But the White House said no. Zimmerman is a white male. The 
     Clinton administration wanted the job to go to a woman or a 
     man from a minority group.
       So Zimmerman resigned, ending a three-decade State 
     Department career. He said he disagreed with the 
     administration's Bosnia policy, although sources told The 
     Times that Zimmerman would have stayed if he had received the 
     promotion he desired.
       The administration's goal of bringing more women and 
     minority-group members to the higher levels of government is 
     commendable. But surely the goal can be pursued without 
     driving away career officials whose reservoir of expertise is 
     needed to give the government continuity and direction.

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