[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 134 (Thursday, August 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12313-S12314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     NOMINATION OF JOHN J. CALLAHAN

 Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, on July 21, 1995, the Senate 
Committee on Finance favorably reported the nomination of John J. 
Callahan for the position of Assistant Secretary for Management and 
Budget and Chief Financial Officer (ASMB/CFO) for the Department of 
Health and Human Services. I support Dr. Callahan's nomination and feel 
his expertise would be advantageous to this Department. The importance 
of this Department and its role in our society is immeasurable. For 
this reason it is crucial that this Department, like every other, be 
served by outstanding people such as Dr. Callahan.
  For more than 25 years, John J. Callahan has had an exemplary public 
service record. He served in the United States Senate for over 15 
years. During that period he served as Staff Director for the U.S. 
Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations 
and the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Federalism, and the 
District of Columbia. His service also includes serving as Deputy Staff 
Director of the Senate Budget Committee and Chief of Staff to my good 
friend from Tennessee, former Senator Jim Sasser. Dr. Callahan's vast 
Congressional and budget experience should help him tremendously as he 
wrestles with the issues that HHS deals with every day.
  Earlier in Dr. Callahan's public service career he was a Director at 
the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). During that time 
he had the opportunity to conduct studies that helped State 
legislatures review their school finance plans to meet with educational 
mandates. Working for the State governments has given him the 
background needed to better link state and national government 
agencies, and to better interpret the effect of Federal requirements on 
state and local governments.
  As Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Callahan will have the responsibility 
of handling the more than $300 billion budget that is allocated 
annually to HHS programs. He is ably credentialed for this task. Dr. 
Callahan's work at the Senate Budget Committee included assisting in 
the preparation of more than 20 Committee hearings and in the 
development and passage of two budget reconciliation bills (which 
together reduced projected deficits by nearly $1 trillion).
  HHS is considered by many to be one of the most crucial entities of 
our government. This Department affects all Americans at some point or 
another in their lives. From childhood immunization programs to the 
supervision of Medicare, we will all eventually benefit from the 
services of this agency. The Assistant Secretary of Management and 
Budget has many responsibilities that help to make this a productive 
Department. John Callahan has the expertise and track record to run 
this
 office efficiently and purposefully. In a recent meeting with Dr. 
Callahan, we discussed his role in designing more efficient programs. 
John Callahan brings with him to this important post not only new and 
innovative ideas but invaluable experience that has taken him many 
years to acquire. 

[[Page S 12314]]


  When it comes to the health of the people of the United States, we 
must make education and public awareness a top priority. John J. 
Callahan is a devoted student, having earned his Bachelor's Degree in 
Political Science at Fordham University, his Master's Degree in 
Regional Planning at Syracuse University and his Ph.D. in Social 
Science also at Syracuse. John has served as an Assistant Professor of 
Education and Planning at the University of Virginia and an adjunct 
professor at the USDA Graduate School and American University.
  Further, John J. Callahan is a devoted family man. He is very 
supportive of his wife and three children. He wants to ensure a health 
future for his children as well as the children of our entire nation.
  I would like to conclude by saying that the Department of Health and 
Human Services has played a key role in today's health care debate. I 
have no doubt that our great Nation will pull together to find 
solutions to the problems that have been identified. The solutions will 
come from individuals like John Callahan, one who has devoted his 
lifetime to education, research and public service.
  It is again my honor and pleasure to declare my full support for John 
J. Callahan's nomination to be the Assistant Secretary for Management 
and Budget and Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Health and 
Human Services.
  I would like to thank Jeffrey C. Lederman for his capable work on 
development of this statement. Mr. Lederman is a medical student at the 
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of 
Osteopathic Medicine who ably assisted by Aging Committee staff as a 
fellow over the last 2 months. We are grateful to Mr. Lederman for his 
service to the Committee. 


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