[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8519-S8520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NOMINATION OF JANE GARVEY

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, on June 24, I had the privilege of 
introducing Ms. Jane Garvey of Massachusetts to the Senate Commerce 
Committee as President Clinton's nominee to be the next administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration. On that day I proclaimed that 
she has the experience, the intellect and the management skills 
necessary to prepare the FAA for the challenges of the 21st Century.
  Since my introduction, the Chairman and other members of this 
Committee have put forth questions, both verbally and in writing, on a 
range of issues pertaining to Ms. Garvey's past experience and to the 
important challenges facing the FAA. In my view, her answers have, 
indeed, borne out my glowing introduction and have demonstrated beyond 
any doubt that she will be an excellent FAA Administrator. Indeed, Ms. 
Garvey s nomination comes to the floor with the unanimous support of 
the Commerce Committee.
  Mr. President, the challenges before the FAA are enormous. Among 
other matters, the next Administrator will need to effectively 
modernize the nation's air traffic control system to keep pace with 
America's growing air travel needs. She will also be charged with 
efficiently procuring and deploying the next generation of explosive 
detection equipment to protect our nation's citizens from rogue 
elements who seek to indiscriminately harm air travelers. Action on 
these and other matters are essential to ensuring the safety and 
security of all American citizens. To address these matters and guide 
the world's largest aviation agency into the 21st Century, the 
President sought a strong and capable leader with proven and tested 
management skills. In my view, the President could not have made a 
better choice.
  Jane Garvey has long been recognized in Massachusetts and in 
Washington as a top-quality public servant with superior management 
skills. Jane Garvey directed the Massachusetts Department of Public 
Works, the 8th largest state highway program in the nation, where she 
supervised the state's multibillion-dollar highway construction 
program. Jane Garvey also served as Massachusetts Director of Aviation, 
managing airport operations at Logan Airport in Boston and directing 
the planning of Logan's $1 billion modernization. Upon coming to 
Washington where Jane has been Deputy and Acting Administrator of the 
Federal Highway Administration, Jane supervised an agency with a $20 
billion dollar budget and offices in every state. At each step in her 
impressive career, Jane Garvey has received praise from government and 
industry officials alike. In my view, there can be no doubt that Jane 
Garvey has the vision and proven administrative experience to manage 
the FAA.
  However, aside from her managerial expertise, Jane Garvey has also 
developed a reputation for putting safety first. Over the past four 
years, Jane Garvey has been a recognized leader in moving safety to the 
top of Federal Highway's agenda. Hazardous highway-rail grade crossings 
are being eliminated; truck safety standards are being upgraded; and 
infrastructure investments and high-tech intelligent transportation 
systems are emphasizing safety first. In fact, as Massachusetts 
Director of Aviation, Jane oversaw the deployment of prototype safety 
systems to prevent runway collisions and a communications center that 
integrated operations with safety and weather information. Jane Garvey 
has

[[Page S8520]]

consistently made public safety her highest priority, and she will take 
this commitment to safety with her to the FAA. She is the best choice 
to ensure that our nation's passenger air system remains the world's 
safest as air traffic continues to increase.
  Finally, Jane Garvey understands the value and promise of technology. 
She presently oversees nearly a half-billion dollars annually in 
Federal Highway technology research and development including the 
deployment of intelligent transportation systems that apply advanced 
computer and communications technologies to travel. At Logan Airport, 
Jane Garvey managed the deployment of modernized air traffic control 
systems and made the airport a testing ground for such innovative 
technologies as radar-linked runway-guide guard lights and converging 
runway display aids.
  Jane Garvey's management experience combined with her understanding 
of emerging technologies will enable the FAA to deploy cutting-edge 
technologies on time and within its budget, and will help the FAA to 
deploy the air-traffic control systems and safety improvements 
necessary to support our nation s growing air travel needs.
  Mr. President, I submit to you that above all else, a vote for Jane 
Garvey to be the next FAA Administrator is a vote for superior 
management and an unwavering commitment to public safety. I urge my 
colleagues to unanimously support this nomination.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the President's 
nomination of a new Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration [FAA], Ms. Jane Garvey. Ms. Garvey comes to us with over 
a decade of distinguished public service.
  From 1991 to 1993, Ms. Garvey served as director of aviation for the 
Massachusetts Port Authority. Before that, Ms. Garvey served as the 
commissioner and associate commissioner for the Massachusetts 
Department of Public Works from 1983 to 1991. Ms. Garvey's experience 
in public office is impressive. That experience will prove invaluable 
in her ability to manage a complex agency like the FAA.
  Over the last several years, Linda Daschle and David Hinson worked 
hard to change the direction of the FAA. Ms. Garvey, if confirmed, will 
need to continue those efforts. Ms. Garvey comes to this position as a 
proven manager with outstanding leadership skills. She will need those 
skills to navigate the FAA through some choppy waters over the next 5 
years.
  During the confirmation hearing, the chairman expressed concern about 
Ms. Garvey's involvement with the cost overruns for the central artery/
third harbor tunnel project in Boston. I want to take a moment to 
address the chairman's concerns. Let me suggest that, from what we have 
been able to piece together, Ms. Garvey took several proactive steps to 
try and keep that project within budget. First and foremost, a 
significant reason for the cost overrun is because of inflation. The 
original cost estimate of $2.6 billion was based on 1982 dollars, 
which, at the time, was a standard method for calculating project costs 
at FHWA. The project is now expected to be completed at $10.4 billion. 
Of that increase, approximately $4.1 billion is a result of inflation.
  The scope of the project has changed over the past 15 years as well. 
The total cost of the project now includes several new interchanges, 
additional pavement work, bridge work, in addition to the cost of 
relocating a toll plaza. Many of these items were not funded by the 
highway administration, but were still included in the total cost of 
the project. Ms. Garvey has noted that, as deputy administrator for 
FHWA, these additional costs would not be borne by the Federal 
Government--the State of Massachusetts must assume these costs.
  It strikes me that--from what the committee has been able to gather--
that Ms. Garvey has been proactive in trying to contain the costs of 
this project. For example, Ms. Garvey, while deputy at FHWA, imposed 
caps that limited Federal spending on this project. This is the kind of 
proactive leadership we need to ensure that Federal resources are used 
wisely.

  I believe Ms. Garvey's experience with the central artery project 
will help her manage the sizable effort now underway at the FAA to 
modernize the air traffic control system. These are large, complex 
efforts, similar in scope to the central artery/third harbor tunnel 
project. One of those efforts is the replacement of several critical 
air traffic control computer systems. This effort must run smoothly and 
within budget, and the nominee's leadership will provide much needed 
guidance in achieving this critical objective.
  Another FAA effort will be the transition to a global positioning 
system [GPS]. By moving to GPS, the industry expects to save billions 
of dollars every year from more efficient navigation. Like replacing 
the air traffic control systems, the transition to GPS must also be 
managed smoothly. I expect Ms. Garvey's dedication and leadership will 
help FAA succeed in this effort.
  Let us also not forget the critical role FAA plays in ensuring that 
air transportation remains the safest way to travel. Every day, 365 
days a year, thousands of aircraft make their way safely thanks in part 
to the nationals air traffic control system. The FAA manages this 
system admirably, but there is always room for improvement. I 
anticipate Ms. Garvey will bring her ingenuity and creativity to the 
task of improving safety. If approved, I pledge to work with Ms. Garvey 
to make air travel as safe as it can be.
  I know Secretary Slater holds a similar philosophy on safety--and I 
also know Ms. Garvey and Mr. Slater have an excellent working 
relationship. By working together, I expect the team of Slater and 
Garvey to effectively manage a safe and efficient national air system.
  Ms. Garvey comes to us having won high marks as Deputy Director for 
the Highway Administration. Those who worked with her at the Agency and 
those from outside the Agency all credit Ms. Garvey with strong 
leadership, dedication, and ingenuity.
  I urge my colleagues to support this nomination. Thank you, Mr. 
President.


              STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF ERIC L. CLAY

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I delighted that the majority leader has 
decided to take up the nomination of Eric L. Clay to be a U.S. Circuit 
Judge for the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Clay is a well-qualified nominee.
  The Judiciary Committee unanimously reported his nomination to the 
Senate on May 22, 1997. The sixth circuit desperately needs Eric Clay 
to help manage its growing backlog of cases. In fact, the sixth circuit 
has three vacancies, two of which have been designated judicial 
emergencies by the Judicial Conference of the United States.
  We first received Eric Clay's nomination in March 1996. He was 
accorded a hearing in the last Congress on March 26, 1996, and was 
reported by Judiciary Committee to the full Senate on April 25, 1996. 
Unfortunately, his nomination was never acted upon because of the 
Presidential election year slowdown of judicial confirmations in 1996.
  The President renominated Eric Clay on the first day of this Congress 
for the same vacancy on the sixth circuit, which vacancy has existed 
since September 1994. This is one of the judicial emergency vacancies 
that we should have filled last year. This vacancy has persisted for 
more than 2\1/2\ years. He has the support of both Senators from 
Michigan, a Republican and a Democrat. He had a confirmation hearing on 
May 7 and the committee considered and unanimously reported his 
nomination to the Senate 2 weeks later. This important nomination was 
held without action on the Senate Executive Calendar for over 2 months 
by the Republican leadership.
  I am delighted for Mr. Clay and his family that his nomination is 
finally being confirmed and am confident that he will make a fine 
member of the sixth circuit.

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