[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4015-S4016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
immediately proceed to executive session to consider the following 
nominations reported by the Foreign Relations Committee today: Paula 
Dobriansky to be an Under Secretary of State; James Andrew Kelly to be 
an Assistant Secretary of State; Andrew Natsios to be Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development.
  I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, 
the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, 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 nominations were considered and confirmed, as follows:


                          department of state

       James Andrew Kelly, of Hawaii, to be an Assistant Secretary 
     of State (East Asian and Pacific Affairs).
       Paula J. Dobriansky, of Virginia, to be an Under Secretary 
     of State (Global Affairs).


           united states agency for international development

       Andrew S. Natsios, of Massachusetts, to be Administrator of 
     the United States Agency for International Development.

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I strongly support the nomination of 
Andrew Natsios. Andrew has ably served the State of Massachusetts as a 
Representative in the State House and as Chief Financial Officer for 
the State. He is an outstanding choice for the important post of 
Administrator for the Agency for International Development, and I'm 
confident he'll serve our country with great distinction.
  The Agency plays an invaluable role for the United States, bringing 
the hope of a better life to those in need around the globe through 
humanitarian aid and development projects. Its Administrator must 
understand the challenges facing the Agency both internally and 
externally. He must be a strong and effective manager. He must be 
committed to improving the Agency as an institution and have the 
ability to advance its development mission effectively. I'm confident 
that Andrew possesses the skills to accomplish these goals and that he 
will enhance the agency's valuable work around the world.

[[Page S4016]]

  Andrew has spent much of his distinguished career working on these 
important issues--most notably as the Assistant Administrator for the 
Bureau of Food and Humanitarian Assistance at the Agency for 
International Development, as Director of the Office of Foreign 
Disaster Assistance and as Vice President of World Vision. Because of 
his outstanding ability, he was appointed as special coordinator to 
manage U.S. Government relief efforts during the Somalia famine.
  Andrew has written extensively on the challenges posed by 
humanitarian and intervention assistance and disaster response to U.S. 
foreign policy interests. He has also lectured at Boston College, the 
University of Massachusetts, and Northeastern University.
  Because of his strong management skills, Andrew was called in to 
Chair the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and to oversee the Central 
Artery Tunnel Project--the nation's largest public project. We all 
agree that his management has restored credibility to the project. He 
also served as Governor Cellucci's Chief Financial Officer for 
Massachusetts and was responsible for a $20 billion state budget.
  Andrew has the vision, skills and ability to lead the Agency for 
International Development very effectively in the years ahead. His 
knowledge and experience, and his strong commitment to improving the 
agency will strengthen all of its vital missions.
  I look forward very much to working with him as the Administrator of 
the Agency for International Development.

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