[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5652-S5653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      NOMINATION OF EDWARD GNEHM, JR. FOR AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, this is truly one of the highlights of my 
Senate career, an instant replay memory I will recall and cherish for a 
long time to come. For today I was able to read and have approved the 
nomination of my college roommate to serve as Ambassador. It's 
something we would have never dreamed we would be a part of back in the 
days when we were rooming together just down the street from the United 
States Capitol at George Washington University.
  I first met Edward Gnehm, Jr., or ``Skip'' as everyone has come to 
know him, years ago and we quickly became friends. In fact, Skip was my 
fraternity brother and he is the only brother that I have ever had--of 
any kind--in my life. He was my roommate for three years and he's been 
my friend ever since. As I hit the books and studied about accounting 
and business, he was working on learning the nuances of International 
Relations in the hope that it would help him become a career Ambassador 
for the United States of America. I watched him work and dedicate his 
every waking moment to his dream. You can't help but be inspired by 
someone who has that kind of dedication. He was a brilliant guy, but he

[[Page S5653]]

was also modest about it. He had high expectations for his college 
years--his teachers did, too. Skip's hard work and determination 
allowed him to exceed and surpass them all. None of us who knew him 
were surprised by his success.
  We graduated from college and then, as the years passed, we took on 
the challenges of our lives. For me, a career as a small businessman 
gave way to a second career in politics. For Skip it was one post, one 
assignment after another, as his work took him literally all over the 
world.
  So much of what I know about the world and the people of different 
countries comes from having seen so much of it through my friend Skip's 
eyes. He first served in Katmandu, the capital of Nepal. He also worked 
in many parts of the Middle East. As Ambassador, he faced danger and 
showed a unique kind of bravery in Kuwait when Saddam Hussein's Army 
took up residence across the street. Through it all, Skip never 
wavered, and he never lost sight of what he most wanted to do--and that 
was to serve his country to the best of his ability.
  That may sound a bit corny to some, but that's all right. In this day 
and age we need more like him who are dedicated to God, country and 
family and who live that philosophy from the heart every day. It's 
called walking your talk and Skip knows all about that. I know that 
about him because I know him so well. I canoed with him in the swamps 
of Georgia. You get to know a lot about someone when it's the two of 
you sharing the experience of being lost in the midst of some 
mysterious aspect of God's creation. Those are quiet times that lead to 
thoughtful reflection and a shared focus on the things that are 
important in life.

  Another of the things we have in common was our incredible good 
fortune in picking a spouse. Skip and his wife Peggy and I and my wife 
Diana have built a relationship based on trust, cooperation, 
communication and understanding. That kind of bond has helped Skip and 
Peggy to serve their country as Ambassadors overseas and it has helped 
Diana and me to serve the people of Wyoming here in the Senate.
  He and I have sons and daughters who are the same age. His son, Ed, 
is married to the daughter of the couple who introduced me to my wife, 
Diana. They met at my swearing-in ceremony. The two dads were part of 
my wedding. And I was there to see their children's marriage in 
Wyoming.
  He recently had a break in his assignments which brought him back to 
Washington where he served at the State Department. It was always good 
to see him and to watch him continue to serve in so many different 
capacities with the same strength, courage and professionalism he 
brought to any task. On other assignments here, he worked with the 
Defense Department as State Department Liaison, with Senator Kennedy on 
foreign relations issues and he has also held several other posts. He 
has served in the United Nations.
  Although he was doing well ``back home'' Skip wanted to get back on 
the road and head out for another adventure, another challenge in his 
life. Now, with the action taken by the Senate today, he has received 
his next call.
  I want to thank all of those who made Skip's placement possible. 
First, let me acknowledge the efforts of Craig Thomas, my friend and 
colleague from Wyoming, who held hearings on Skip's nomination. He went 
beyond the call of duty to get his part of the job done in a timely 
fashion.
  Senator Helms, too, deserves our appreciation for his expeditious 
work with the full Committee to get the nomination brought before the 
full Senate for our consideration.
  Now, all those years of planning, preparing, and public service have 
paid off. For Skip, it means another post in an already distinguished 
career. For us, it means we have a truly dedicated career officer who 
will be serving us in Australia. I can't think of a better Ambassador 
and representative of the people of the United States than Skip Gnehm. 
He will love being there and Australia will love coming to know Skip. 
It's another perfect match!

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