[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6915-S6916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

                                 ______
                                 

NOMINATION OF EDWARD L. ROMERO TO BE AMBASSADOR TO SPAIN AND AMBASSADOR 
                               TO ANDORRA

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate go 
into executive session and proceed to the following nomination reported 
by the Foreign Relations Committee today:
  Edward Romero to be Ambassador to Spain and Ambassador to Andorra.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read the nomination of Edward L. Romero, of New 
Mexico, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the 
United States of America to Spain, and to serve concurrently and 
without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and 
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Andorra.
  The Senate proceeded to consider the nomination.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce an old 
personal friend and a highly qualified individual as the nominee for 
the U.S. Ambassador to Spain.
  Ed Romero is not only a native New Mexican, he is a descendant of the 
Spanish colonists who first settled in New Mexico in 1598. Mr. Romero's 
personal biography represents both a commitment to his heritage and 
diligence as a upstanding citizen of this country.
  In the fulfillment of his duties as a New Mexican and an American, 
Mr. Romero headed several delegations to Mexico to forge the 
relationships necessary to expand business opportunities. He was also a 
member of the U.S. delegation to the Helsinki accords.
  Mr. Romero was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced 
Sciences, Inc. Mr. Romero also founded the Albuquerque Hispanic Chamber 
of Commerce and is currently on the Boards of several Hispanic and 
Latin American Business and Cultural Associations and Foundations. In 
his civic and community pursuits, he has been recognized by 
organizations as diverse as the National Kidney Foundation, New 
Mexico's Air National Guard and the New Mexico Anti-Defamation League. 
Mr. Romero has traveled extensively in Spain and speaks fluent Spanish.

[[Page S6916]]

  Mr. President, it is my pleasure and, indeed, an honor to introduce 
to the Senate an individual as distinguished and qualified for the 
position of Ambassador to Spain as Edward Romero. I believe his 
background and commitment will make him a gracious, competent and 
effective representative of the U.S. I fully support his nomination and 
respectfully ask my colleagues in the Senate for their careful 
consideration of Mr. Romero as the next U.S. Ambassador to Spain.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the nomination 
be confirmed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, any 
statements relating to the nomination appear at this point in the 
Record, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, 
and the Senate then return to legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The nomination considered and confirmed is as follows:


                          DEPARTMENT OF STATE

       Edward L. Romero, of New Mexico, to be Ambassador 
     Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
     America to Spain.
       Edward L. Romero, of New Mexico, to serve concurrently and 
     without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary 
     and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to 
     Andorra.

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