[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF BOOTH GARDNER

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I wanted to say a few words about 
the Senate's confirmation of Ambassador Booth Gardner to be deputy 
trade representative last night. I consider this nomination to one of 
the most appropriate of the Clinton administration.
  Almost from his birth, Governor Gardner has played a major role in 
the economy of Washington State, serving our State in business through 
the Laird Norton Co. and Weyerhaeuser, and in public office, as Pierce 
County executive and, of course, as Governor. In his 8 years in that 
post, he had a number of interests and initiatives, but I doubt that 
few would rank as high as expanding international trade.
  In part because of his efforts, Washington State is now more 
dependent that any other on international trade. Governor Gardner 
worked hard to strengthen our State's relationship with our trading 
partners, and led many successful trade missions to the Pacific rim and 
other parts of the world. I am confident that experience--the 
familiarity he gained with many heads of government, trade ministers 
and finance ministers--will be extremely useful in his new role, and 
will serve us well.
  Governor Gardner stepped down from public office in our State with a 
distinguished record. This position will serve not only as just reward, 
but as opportunity for him to apply his learned skills abroad in the 
service of our country.
  I am glad that the Senate his confirmed Ambassador Gardner, and I am 
convinced he will serve us in a distinguished and highly successful 
manner.

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