[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5561-S5569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

                                 ______
                                 

  NOMINATION OF HOWARD H. BAKER, JR., OF TENNESSEE, TO BE AMBASSADOR 
 EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO 
                                 JAPAN

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Howard H. 
Baker, Jr. The nomination will be stated.
  The bill clerk read the nomination of Howard H. Baker, Jr., of 
Tennessee, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the 
United States of America to Japan.
  The Senate proceeded to consider the nomination.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There are 2 hours equally divided for 
consideration of the nomination. Who yields time? The Senator from 
Wyoming.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I do want to talk a moment about the 
nomination of Howard Baker to be Ambassador to Japan. I am chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Rim. We held a hearing today 
for Howard Baker. Fortunately, we were able to move it today so that 
his nomination can be voted on for confirmation.
  Mr. President, I am pleased to accept Howard Baker as Ambassador to 
Japan. I am chairman of that subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific rim. 
Certainly one of the most important countries in that area is Japan, a 
country with which we have worked closely

[[Page S5562]]

for a very long time. We have had some of our highest profile 
Ambassadors in Japan, people in the past who had come from the Senate, 
also including a Speaker of the House and a majority leader of the 
Senate several years ago.
  Now we have the opportunity--and I was very pleased to be able today 
to hold that hearing--to have Howard Baker as our nominee whom the 
President nominated to this important task. We are very proud to pass 
it on. We thank the leader for being able to bring it to the floor 
today so we can get our Ambassador in place in Japan.
  Japan is key, of course, to much of what we do in the Asian area, and 
it is key to what we do in Korea, particularly North Korea and the 
Korean peninsula. We need to work with Japan to do that. The same is 
true with Taiwan and China. Japan is our partner.
  Of course, they are the largest economy in that area and continue to 
have some economic problems, particularly banking problems. We have 
some things we have to work out with them with regard to our Armed 
Forces being in Okinawa and work out things to see if we can reduce the 
deficit with have in trade.
  I cannot think of a better person to represent us. He has great 
experience and great compassion. He worked in the White House, in the 
Senate, and has been the Senate floor leader. He has done all things in 
public. I am delighted Howard Baker is our nominee.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I see other Senators who are here to speak 
on behalf of former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker to be 
Ambassador to Japan. I will not be too long. I am delighted to have 
this opportunity. I think this is such a great selection for this very 
important position as Ambassador to Japan.
  I feel a personal relationship with Howard Baker for a lot of 
reasons. First of all, I think Howard Baker was the first live 
Republican I actually saw up close in my life. When I was growing up in 
Pascagoula, MS, there was none. Then I had the good fortune of going to 
the great center of learning, Oxford, MS. There I saw this outstanding 
and very calming and articulate spokesman, Howard Baker, on Memphis 
television. I was impressed. And he was a Republican. I started 
listening to him and watching him and had occasion to meet him one time 
when he came down to the university.
  Of course, this outstanding man from a small town in Tennessee ran 
for the Senate. He didn't go through the State legislature and through 
the House of Representatives and eventually to the Senate. He went 
straight to the Senate.
  Of course, it is of interest that his mother and his father had also 
served in the House of Representatives. I believe his mother had been 
the sheriff of the county in Tennessee. I think that is accurate. He 
had a pedigree of knowledge, the people of Tennessee and of 
governments. So it was a natural for him to go straight to the Senate.
  His wife, of course, was the daughter of Everett Dirksen. He of the 
melodious voice, a legend in his own time, his portrait hangs on the 
majority leader's conference wall. He had that influence.

  Immediately, he drew attention and respect. Immediately, he started 
to seek leadership in the Senate. He was not successful the first time. 
I think the Senator from Alaska can remember the details of that. He 
very quickly, comparatively speaking, became the leader of the 
Republicans of the Senate and then of course, in 1980, after the 
election, became the majority leader.
  I remember watching him from my perch on the House side of the 
Capitol as the Republican whip at the time and having meetings with him 
in his room where he always had the fireplace going. I was always 
impressed. There were a couple of difficult issues with which we had to 
deal--the settling of AWAC, the Panama Canal. I can remember not 
agreeing with the position he took on at least one of those.
  I watched how masterful he was. I remember coming over and watching 
one of the votes. We were standing in the back of the Chamber. As I 
recall, he sat on the corner of the table, and it seemed to have an 
influence on voters just because he was sitting there. Though both 
those motions prevailed, and they were in many ways unpopular, I 
remember sending him a handwritten note at the time how impressed I was 
at how he pulled those issues together in a bipartisan way.
  Soft spoken; intellectual, actually. A lot of people would be 
surprised that an intellectual could rise to that kind of position, but 
he did.
  Now I have an even greater respect for his leadership since I have 
for the past 5 years been able to serve as majority leader. I remember 
telling my immediate predecessor, Bob Dole: I thought your job was a 
piece of cake. Why wasn't it that way when I got here? This job is a 
challenge, every day. You have people who disagree with you around you, 
your friends on both sides of the aisle, and you try to give some 
direction to get some result. I truly now have a renewed and greater 
respect for the majority leader and the majority leader's position, and 
for Howard Baker in particular.
  Of course, he went on to run for President. In fact, I think almost 
every majority leader except George Mitchell and Trent Lott have been 
candidates for President. I might note, none of them has been 
successful, although Lyndon Johnson did manage to come in sort of 
through the back door, after being selected to be Vice President. He 
did a wonderful job.
  Then he showed even greater wisdom. He said: I've done that job; I'm 
out of here. And he went back to the private sector. And did he 
disappear into the hills of Tennessee? No, though that is where he 
seeks refuge to this very day. He went into the private sector, went to 
a law firm. He is involved and thoughtful. He returned to public 
service as Chief of Staff to President Reagan.
  Probably his greatest stroke of recent years is his marriage to the 
fine former Senator from Kansas, Nancy Kassebaum. What a duo that is.
  Just a year or so ago in our continuing Leader's Lecture Series, 
Howard Baker was one of the speakers. It was extremely interesting. He 
gave us a Baker's dozen of suggestions of being in the Senate. That is 
13, for those who are not from the South or who don't know a baker's 
dozen is 13. It was a great list, and he did a wonderful job.
  Now he has been selected for this position. I received a call a 
couple weeks ago from none other than Senator Byrd who said: This is 
our colleague. We know him well. He was our majority leader. He wasn't 
just a member or just a leader; he was majority leader at a very tough, 
difficult time.

  He worked with Senator Byrd across the aisle.
  We don't have to wait for weeks or months for an investigation. We 
know this man. Let's move it. Let's expedite it.
  The committee had its hearing today, and the Senate will vote 
tonight. We will vote to confirm Howard Baker, and he will be an 
Ambassador, very similar to the ones who have preceded him, former 
Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and former Speaker of the House Tom 
Foley.
  Japan, I hope, recognizes and appreciates that we send them as our 
Ambassador the very best. That tradition continues with Howard Baker. I 
am delighted we are moving expeditiously. We will get this confirmation 
done. Senator Baker and his helpmate, Senator Kassebaum, will be great 
diplomats for America. They will be a tremendous asset for all who get 
to know him in Japan. I thank all of my Senate colleagues for agreeing 
to move this nomination expeditiously.
  I invite Senator Baker to join us in about an hour and a half to hear 
the next Leader's Lecture presentation from former President of the 
Senate, former House Member, Gerald Ford.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from the great State of Alaska.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I am delighted to follow our leader, 
speaking about our former majority leader, Howard Baker, and his lovely 
lady, Senator Kassebaum. As one whose home is closer to Tokyo than it 
is to Washington, DC, I welcome this appointment.
  This is the century of the Pacific. If one really studies 
geopolitical affairs in this world, they can only come to the 
conclusion that the Pacific is going to be the region of great interest 
to the world, of great potential, and of great strife if we are not 
careful.
  I am delighted the President has chosen Howard Baker to become the 
Ambassador to Japan. He has shown his

[[Page S5563]]

leadership on the floor of the Senate and in activities he has 
participated in around the world since he left the Senate. His wife, as 
we know, is one of the distinguished leading ladies of this country. 
The President is very smart. He gets two Ambassadors for the price of 
one.
  We will welcome him going to Alaska on his way to Japan and on his 
way back because he is a great friend. It was my privilege to serve 
with Howard Baker. During the 8 years he was the leader I was assistant 
leader, and I consider him one of the finest Americans who has ever 
lived. I am glad to see he continues being willing to serve our 
country, and I shall vote for him.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the 
nomination of my good friend and former colleague Senator Howard Baker 
to be U.S. Ambassador to Japan. I can think of no finer individual to 
serve in this important post, for no finer person ever served in the 
U.S. Senate.
  Having an Ambassador to Japan with Senator Baker's experience, 
knowledge, and statesmanship is crucial during this important period in 
U.S.-Japan relations. It is vital to America's goals for peace in this 
region. The overall security situation in Asia is of utmost importance. 
Having Senator Baker representing the United States in Japan will be a 
tremendous asset as we work to maintain security and stability in that 
vital region.
  He proudly served as a sailor--P.T. boat sailor--who knows how to 
navigate rough seas.
  Senator Baker's past service to the nation has been exemplary. He 
represented his home State of Tennessee for three terms in the Senate, 
from 1967 until 1985. Over the course of his final four years in the 
Senate, Howard Baker served with distinction as the Senate majority 
leader. After leaving the Senate, Senator Baker went on to serve the 
Nation as former President Reagan's Chief of Staff and as a member of 
the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
  Senator Baker, of all people, fully understands the demands and 
sacrifices we ask of our public officials and their families. His 
willingness to take on this challenge and once again return to public 
service is greatly appreciated. By his side, indeed a partner, will be 
his lovely wife, our former colleague, Nancy Kassehaum Baker.
  Mr. President, I have been fortunate, to have worked with Senator 
Baker for many years. I have the great privilege to now be in my fourth 
term because of his help, and, above all, his advice and friendship The 
Nation, the Senate wish them both good fortune.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, the Presidents of this country long ago 
established a tradition of nominating the most eminent of our political 
leaders to be ambassadors to Japan. Former Senators Mansfield and 
Mondale, and most recently, Speaker Tom Foley have maintained that 
tradition of diplomatic excellence and service to our country up until 
this day.
  When President Bush nominated my old friend, Howard Baker, to be our 
next ambassador to our most important Asian ally, he kept the highest 
standards of this important tradition. That is why I fully expect my 
colleagues today will concur in supporting this nomination. And while 
we will all miss the presence in Washington of our dear friend and his 
wife, another esteemed former colleague, Nancy Kassebaum Baker--who 
herself established a well-deserved reputation in this Senate as one of 
our most thoughtful leaders on foreign policy--what we will lose will 
be more than offset, once again, by the contribution that they will 
make for our country.
  Howard Baker has been a public servant all of his life. It is an 
honor to serve in the Senate, not least because one serves with such 
distinguished and admirable colleagues, but I must say I have always 
considered myself particularly fortunate that my career overlapped in 
part with the three terms the distinguished Senator from Tennessee 
served here. I was particularly honored to have worked with him during 
the time he served as our party's majority leader. And as my colleagues 
well know, Senator Baker never really retired. He left the Senate and 
became the chief of staff to former President Reagan, serving that 
great President in an outstanding manner. While it would take too long 
to enumerate all of the contributions rendered since then by this 
exceptional public servant, it serves to note that he most recently was 
a leader of an important commission that conducted an essential review 
of our nuclear cooperation programs with Russia. The recommendations of 
that bipartisan commission were key in the new administration's policy 
review of this very important component of this important bilateral 
relationship. Now Howard Baker will go to serve another of America's 
important bilateral relations, as our Ambassador to Tokyo.
  I have been saying for years that the strategic partnership American 
must nurture in Asia is not with China, but with Japan. President bush 
clearly recognizes this reality, and he has demonstrated this with his 
appointments of Japan experts at the State Department, Pentagon and the 
National Security Council. The President has capped these selections by 
choosing Howard Baker as our Ambassador. I commend the President on his 
strategic thinking, and I think the President could not have made a 
better selection in filling this post.
  Howard Baker brings to this position his long experience in the 
Senate, in the White House and in the corporate sector. All aspects of 
this experience will be beneficial to his efforts to represent the 
United States to our Japanese ally. For the Japanese leadership, which 
has warmly welcomed this nomination, former Senator Baker will bring an 
appreciation of all of aspects of American society, and a deep respect 
for Japanese society and culture. The new Japanese leadership of 
Junichiro Koizumi could not begin its relationship with Washington on a 
more auspicious note.
  I have personally known Howard Baker for nearly a quarter of a 
century. I know him for his steady, calm presence and for his wise 
counsel. I know him for his love of country, and for his deep 
understanding of how the world beyond our borders works. He and his 
dear wife, former Senator Nancy Kassebaum, will be missed in 
Washington. But we can rest assured that our country's interests in 
Japan are superbly represented by this exceptionally dedicated and 
talented couple. I know that my colleagues concur and join me in 
wishing Howard Baker Godspeed.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to add my support to the 
nomination of Howard H. Baker, Jr., to be the U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
  Howard Baker has an outstanding record of serving the people of the 
United States as an officer in the U.S. Navy, as a Senator, as White 
House Chief of Staff to President Reagan, and as a member of numerous 
Presidential Advisory Boards. During the nearly 20 years that he 
represented Tennessee in the U.S. Senate, he served as both the 
minority and majority leader, earning the respect of his colleagues and 
a reputation as a talented, fair leader, and consensus builder. Senator 
Baker also served on the Foreign Relations Committee and was a 
Congressional Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.
  The experience and the skill that Senator Baker has developed as a 
long time public servant will be valuable as he takes on the important 
role of working to strengthen U.S. relations with Japan. Howard Baker 
succeeds a long and illustrious line of envoys to Japan including 
former House Speaker Tom Foley, former Vice President Walter Mondale, 
Michael Hayden Armacost, and former Majority Leader Mike Mansfield. I 
am sure that he will represent the United States with honor, in a 
manner that reflects well upon his predecessors.
  I am also especially pleased that the United States will benefit from 
the wisdom and expertise of Nancy Kassebaum Baker, our former 
colleague, who will accompany her husband in this important endeavor. I 
had the pleasure of working with Senator Kassebaum on many issues and 
know that America is getting a truly excellent team to represent our 
country in Japan.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I would like to state how delighted I 
am that the President has nominated a statesman of such skill and 
integrity to serve as our Ambassador in Japan. Senator Baker had just 
completed three terms when I entered this body, including terms as 
majority and minority leader. He was well known as a man

[[Page S5564]]

of courtesy and thoughtfulness, who managed difficult political battles 
with grace and good humor. He took those traits with him to the White 
House, where as Chief of Staff he played a key role in rebuilding 
public confidence in a presidency that was racked by foreign policy 
scandal. Throughout his career Senator Baker has often been called into 
service to help heal the ruptures created by difficult issues like 
Watergate, the Panama Canal and Iran-Contra; and he has repeatedly 
played a key role in forging the bipartisan consensus necessary to move 
our government and our nation forward.
  There is no relationship more important for the U.S. than Japan. The 
vicissitudes of our difficult relationship with an emerging China, or 
the ongoing frictions on the Korean Peninsula, tend to attract most of 
the media attention devoted to Asia. But it is in fact Japan that is 
the indispensable country to the U.S. in Asia. Even after a decade of 
slow growth, Japan has by far the largest economy in Asia, and is the 
largest overseas market for U.S. products. Japan is an important 
investor in the United States, including in my state of West Virginia. 
Japan hosts the largest number of American troops in Asia, and is an 
important ally in our efforts to promote peace, prosperity and 
democracy throughout Asia.
  The nomination of Senator Baker as Ambassador to Tokyo--the most 
recent in a series of senior statesman to serve in that critical post--
will send confirmation to our Japanese allies the tremendous importance 
the United Sates attaches to our partnership with Japan. I know he will 
work with the new Government of Prime Minister Koizumi to express 
support for measures that will restart the Japanese economy, and enable 
Japan to resume its part as one of the locomotives of global growth. I 
know he will work with Japan to continue to re-invigorate our security 
alliance, which plays such an important role in maintaining peace in 
Asia. And I know he, by his very presence in Tokyo, will dispel 
Japanese perceptions that America is ``Japan-passing.'' Having followed 
U.S.-Japan relations for the past 40 years, I am confident that U.S. 
relations with Japan are not moribund but in fact mature.
  I commend the President for his excellent selection of a 
representative for this critical post, and add how pleased I am that 
his wonderful and talented wife, our former colleague, Senator Nancy 
Kassebaum, will be in Tokyo with him. I can think of no one better to 
join him on this mission than my dear and most admired former 
colleague.
  I will vote to support the nomination.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today also in enthusiastic and 
strong support for the nomination of Senator Howard Baker to be U.S. 
Ambassador to the nation of Japan. In fact, Mr. President, I can think 
of no person who could represent America with more honor and more 
distinction than my fellow Tennessean, Howard Baker, a truly 
extraordinary man and an extraordinary leader in this body, in his 
community, and this Nation.
  As we all know, Senator Baker served as the United States Senator 
from the great State of Tennessee for three terms. He served as 
minority leader, majority leader, and he served President Ronald Reagan 
as White House Chief of Staff.
  More important than all of that, which we know, he has served America 
long and well, with unfailing grace, with inexhaustible courage, and 
with integrity; never hesitating, as we just heard from the majority 
leader, in taking on the tough tasks, the tough assignments, never 
failing to shoot straight with us, to call it like it is. Whether it 
was winning over, in Tennessee, traditional Democrats, union members, 
to become the first Republican in the history of Tennessee to be 
elected to the Senate and teaming up with Senators to pass monumental 
and historic clean air and water bills without a single dissenting 
vote, or lobbying his colleagues to allow the televising of Senate 
proceedings, which are routine today, or supporting plans to end the 
draft, or to provide for the direct election of the President, or give 
18-year-olds the right to vote, or investigating a President of his own 
party, or forging a foreign policy consensus to check Soviet cold war 
expansion, Howard Baker never flinched from the tough decisions.
  He always put principle before politics. He was not just a good 
Senator; he wasn't just a good leader; but he was a good mentor and 
friend to me personally.
  What is remarkable as we hear people in this body talking about him, 
is his ability to build coalitions, his ability to disarm his opponents 
with compromise that addressed both the concerns of supporters and 
limited the problems of dissenters, bringing them together, addressing 
concerns from groups who would not normally be together--leaving all 
sides in good spirits.
  I mentioned the personal reflection of being a good mentor and a good 
friend. Again, this comes from my own experience when 10 years ago I 
was trying to make a decision of how best to enter public service. I 
went by to see Senator Baker, someone whom I did not know, someone whom 
I had not met--sitting down with that person in conversation--and you 
know it is a conversation he has had with hundreds and hundreds of 
people thinking about public service--sitting down for an hour and 
listening to what not only a campaign would be like but what the 
privilege of serving the United States of America in this body was all 
about.
  Over the next year and a half I made three more appointments with him 
and took my wife Karen to listen to him, to talk to him. Indeed, he 
seemed to listen more to us than we did to him, in the thoughtful way 
of introspection and then comment. Yes, ultimately, after those 
conversations I decided, in large part based on those conversations, to 
run for the Senate.
  At the height of his political power, Howard Baker stunned Washington 
by making a decision to leave the Senate, following his own advice of 
term limits, of the citizen legislator, only to be called back by 
President Reagan who tapped him as the White House Chief of Staff. He 
served President Reagan well.

  The majority leader, a few minutes ago, mentioned that that legacy 
lives on. It was 2 years ago that he did come and give the lecture 
series--we will hear President Ford later tonight--and the title of 
that talk 2 years ago was ``On Herding Cats,'' talking about his 
experience in this body, each of the little points of the ``Bakers 
Dozen,'' of the 13 points I remember, as I listened in awe, as I 
listened in pride to my fellow Tennessean.
  ``Listen more often than you speak,'' was one of the 13;
  ``Be patient,'' another;
  ``Tell the truth, whether you have to or not,'' was another;
  ``Be civil, and encourage others to do the same.''
  So his story continues to unfold. Tonight, as we come together both 
to praise him and to support his nomination, we recognize that he 
remains an informal and trusted adviser, a model to which all 
politicians in Tennessee aspire, a friend to freedom, to democracy, a 
defender of principle, a man of honesty, integrity, and courage, who 
will represent America well.
  His wife Nancy Kassebaum Baker has been mentioned, a friend to all of 
us. Together they make an experienced team, a knowledgeable team; 
together, a tremendous asset to the United States of America.
  It is, indeed, with honor and pleasure, and I should say pride as a 
Tennessean, that I close in my support for Howard H. Baker, Jr., for 
the post of U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of 
Howard Baker for Ambassador to Japan. I, first of all, compliment my 
colleague, Senator Frist, for his eloquent remarks which encapsulated 
Senator Baker's career and his character. It is very gratifying to hear 
so many favorable remarks about someone whom we hold so dear.
  This was the case this morning as we had the hearing on Senator 
Baker. We heard so many from both sides of the aisle--Senator Biden, 
Senator Byrd--say so many nice things about the Senator. It is a very 
personal matter to me in many respects.
  Many years ago, I, with shaky hand, dialed a telephone number in 
order to

[[Page S5565]]

return a call from Senator Howard Baker. He had asked me to come up as 
counsel to the Watergate committee when he served as minority leader of 
that committee. Today that is the telephone number of my office because 
I have the privilege of occupying the chair. As I said earlier today, 
no one will be able to fill the shoes of Howard Baker, but I am 
privileged to occupy what we call the Howard Baker seat. I am sure 
others who have held that seat would not begrudge me referring to it in 
that way.
  I would probably not be in politics were it not for Howard Baker. I 
left a job I dearly loved as assistant U.S. attorney many years ago, as 
a young lawyer, to go and manage middle Tennessee for Howard Baker, as 
if anyone could manage him, or as if he needed managing.
  A young lawyer by the name of Lamar Alexander, later to be Governor 
of Tennessee, came to me and suggested this to me and suggested it to 
him and put us together. I asked how much the job paid and they said 
nothing. So with my usual business sense, I said that sounded good to 
me. I took on the job. Of course, he was the first popularly elected 
Republican in the history of Tennessee.
  During Watergate, I had an opportunity that I know no other young man 
or young lawyer has ever had; that is, to sit at the right hand, 
literally and figuratively, of a man such as Howard Baker during the 
most tumultuous time in our generation and in American history. I saw 
him and the difficulties he encountered. We were dealing with a 
President of the United States who was a friend of Senator Baker. We 
were dealing with members of the Cabinet such as John Mitchell, who 
were friends of Senator Baker. I saw the agony that he went through as 
he tried to be fair. But he also tried to be steadfast to the 
Constitution of the United States. He walked that line and he showed 
the ethical and moral dimensions of his character.
  He gave an example not only to this young lawyer at the time but to 
all of America of what it meant to be a statesman. In fact, I think the 
word ``statesman'' was coined for individuals such as Howard Baker 
because he demonstrated to all of us that it matters not only what you 
do but how you do it.
  It is a great pleasure to see how revered he is by those who served 
with him, not the least of which, of course, is Senator Byrd of West 
Virginia, who served as the majority leader when Senator Baker served 
as minority leader. I heard them talk earlier today. I am looking 
forward to hearing Senator Byrd again on the floor, but I sat there and 
thought what two strong men, what two great men, oftentimes disagreeing 
but working together for the benefit of their country, what an example 
they set for us doing their job with mutual respect and only one thing 
in their minds--ultimately, serving their States and their country.
  Senator Baker said earlier today that essentially, after all is said 
and done, he is a man of the Senate. Of course, the same could be said 
of Senator Byrd.
  I compliment President Bush for making this appointment. Senator 
Baker--I assume; I have never really talked to him about it--was not an 
intimate of the Bush campaign, although I know he was a hard worker for 
it. I assume, looking back on it, that former President Bush and he 
were somewhat friendly competitors, as they were coming along about the 
same time. President Bush, the current President, obviously, has the 
good judgment to reach out and get the best for this most serious 
appointment.
  This is a troubled part of the world. It is probably going to create 
more trouble for us in the years to come. We have a very unusual, 
ambiguous relationship with the country of China right now, as in many 
respects China is progressing in terms of its economy and in terms of 
its economic openness, while at the same time it is increasing its 
military might and has 300 missiles along its coast pointed toward 
Taiwan. It, clearly, has designs on being the predominant player in 
that part of the world, whether it be Taiwan or the South China Sea 
islands or various other parts of that area of the world.
  It is extremely important that we maintain the best of relations with 
our friends and our allies in that area. There is none more important 
than the country of Japan.
  Japan is undergoing its own internal changes that at this point we 
are attempting, while not being an overbearing friend, to be a helpful 
friend, whether it be with regard to reform of their banking system or 
the other aspects of their economy, and to go through those tough 
changes, that we and other countries have had to go through, to get to 
where they need to get. It is a very delicate time. They are undergoing 
a change in their leadership right now.

  For all of these reasons, it is going to take a wise person, a steady 
hand representing us in that part of the world. Thank goodness we have 
a man such as Howard Baker to take on that job.
  We make it very difficult nowadays for people to come in and serve 
their country. Our nomination process takes too long. It is too 
intrusive. The rewards oftentimes do not outweigh the benefits. But, 
thank God, we still have people such as Howard Baker and so many others 
who are willing to give a portion of their time to serve their country.
  I am totally content that Senator Baker is going to serve as another 
in a long line of illustrious predecessors who have held this job and 
made America proud. America and the world will be better because he has 
served.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, the Senate will soon vote on the nomination 
of former Senator Howard Baker to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Japan. 
This will be a vote I will long remember and of which I will long be 
proud. It will be one of those proud moments in the history of the 
Senate.
  I have voted on many nominations, and I have cast 16,027 votes as of 
now. This will be one of the best votes I have ever cast. I have no 
doubt that this former colleague, with whom I worked so closely, will 
be an excellent representative of the United States to the Japanese 
Government and the Japanese people.
  Senator Howard Baker served his home State of Tennessee in this 
Chamber for three terms, from 1967 to 1985. As the country began to 
recover from the scandal of Watergate, Howard Baker was chosen to lead 
the other side of the aisle as minority leader while I served as 
majority leader, positions that we would later exchange. Senator Baker 
distinguished himself as a man of strong character, sound judgment, and 
good humor. Having followed his father, with whom I served in the House 
of Representatives, his stepmother, and his father-in-law in Congress--
again, speaking of his father-in-law, I can see Everett Dirksen 
standing in his place. I can see his unruly hair. I can see him 
gesturing and uttering the most beautiful phrases. He could paint word 
pictures, Everett Dirksen--
  Senator Baker comes with great credentials in many ways. He had a 
deep and abiding understanding of and respect for the legislative 
branch. There was no doubt in Howard Baker's mind as to where the 
legislative branch stood. He knew of the Constitution. He knew about 
the separation of powers and the checks and balances. He was one who 
would always uphold those principles. His love for the Senate, his love 
for his country always came before partisan imperatives.
  Senator Baker was often a voice of reason in challenging times. As 
the ranking Republican on the select committee that investigated the 
Watergate affair, his stated intent for the hearings was to determine 
the answer to the memorable question, as he put it: What did the 
President know and when did he know it?
  I think everyone in this country has heard those words and probably 
most of us will remember having heard them.
  Senator Baker and I joined together on a number of major initiatives 
that were important to the country as well as to the Senate. I can 
remember the Panama Canal treaties. I was majority leader. I was 
against the treaties to begin with. Howard Baker was against the 
treaties. I went to Panama and took with me six other Senators: Senator 
Sarbanes, Senator Metzenbaum, Senator Matsunaga, Senator Riegle. There 
were seven, I believe.
  We went to Panama. We talked to Americans living there. We talked to 
our military people. We talked with our State Department people. We

[[Page S5566]]

talked with the representatives of the Government of Panama, including 
General Torrijos. I read all about the history of the Panama Canal by 
David McCullough, ``The Path Between the Seas.'' It is fascinating. 
Anything David McCullough writes is fascinating. I changed my mind 
about it.
  Both Howard Baker and I knew we were swimming uphill, so to speak. 
The polls showed that the great majority of the American people were 
against those treaties. There were two of them. They were against those 
treaties. A majority of the Members of the Senate were against the 
treaties. So we had an uphill battle. We both came to the conclusion 
that it was in the best interest of the United States to ratify those 
treaties. It was a difficult task.
  I can remember coming in here on a Sunday and meeting with the 
Panamanian Ambassador to the United States and with our own State 
Department people right down the hall to my right here, in room 207, 
which was and is named the Mansfield Room. I remember our meeting; and 
then in the room there, which was formerly the room of the Presidents 
pro tempore of the Senate, we met to hammer out some differences.
  Howard Baker and I formulated two amendments to the treaty, and but 
for those two amendments--which we called the leadership amendments 
because the two leaders were joining--but for the leadership 
amendments, the treaties would not have been approved.
  What I am saying is this. Here was a man who stood above party and 
voted for what he thought was in the best interests of the country, 
realizing that in the next election he would pay a price for that. I am 
still paying a price in West Virginia. There are still those who 
remember my votes for the treaties and continue to write to me about 
them to remind me. But he was in a far more difficult position than I. 
The Democrats controlled the Senate. We had at that time a Democratic 
President, President Jimmy Carter. So it was more difficult for Howard 
Baker.
  But notwithstanding the difficulties, notwithstanding the politics of 
the matter, which were adverse to the position we took, Howard Baker 
proudly took that position, stating it clearly, articulately, and 
effectively; and because he joined in approving the treaties, we were 
successful. We ended up, on both treaties, getting a vote of two-thirds 
of the Senate plus one vote. We had one vote to spare. So we joined 
together on that occasion. I can't forget that.
  I have said many times--and I said it this morning in the Foreign 
Relations Committee hearing on the nomination--that there are several 
medallions in the Senate reception room just off the floor here, and in 
five of those medallions we find the pictures of Webster, Calhoun, 
Clay, La Follette, and Taft of Ohio. I have stated one day this Senate 
will determine the names of other Senators whose pictures and names 
will go in those remaining medallions. The Senate has already made a 
decision, I believe, with regard to the next medallion or so.
  But at some point in time Howard Baker's picture--it is my hope--will 
appear in those medallions. So today, for the Record--although I won't 
be here, I am sure, when that decision is made--I nominate Howard Baker 
because he was a Senator who stood above the fog in public duty and in 
private thinking and took a hard position. It was hard for him and hard 
for his party, more so than mine. He provided invaluable support in 
that instance, as I say. And he also joined me in my effort to bring 
television coverage to the floor of the Senate.

  In later years, he served well. You see, he served as minority leader 
first with me when I was majority leader, and then I served as minority 
leader while he was majority leader. Always, I found Howard Baker to be 
a very agreeable, down-home, homespun person, a person who had great 
common sense, which is so often absent in the halls of Government--
common sense, and a man of good humor, very intelligent, exceedingly 
knowledgeable, highly articulate, a man of the people.
  He served as President Reagan's Chief of Staff at a time when mature 
counsel and moderate leadership in the White House were needed.
  In a 1998 address to the Members of this body, Senator Baker recalled 
the lessons that helped him as majority leader from 1981 to 1985. This 
is what he said:

       What really makes the Senate work--as our heroes knew 
     profoundly--is an understanding of human nature, an 
     appreciation of hearts as well as minds, the frailties as 
     well as the strengths, of one's colleagues and one's 
     constituents.

  That is bringing it right down to the common understanding, bringing 
it right down to earth. I suggest that this lesson will continue to 
serve him well in his role as Ambassador to Japan.
  Over the years, the United States has sent some of its finest 
citizens to Japan to act as the President's representative, most 
recently Tom Foley, former Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 
prior to him there was Walter Mondale, former Vice President of the 
United States, and Mike Mansfield, former majority leader of the 
Senate. The appointment of Senator Baker to this position will again 
demonstrate the importance of our relationship with Japan, the most 
prosperous country in Asia, and, more importantly, allow our Government 
to regain the services of a very talented individual who has spent more 
than half of his life in the service of this country.
  As Senator Thompson mentioned a little while ago, Nancy Kassebaum, a 
former Senator, will be there likewise. Howard Baker and his wife Nancy 
will be a great team. She could well serve as U.S. Ambassador to Japan 
in her own right.
  Japan will be a vital partner to the United States in what many are 
calling ``the Pacific century.'' Senator Baker will represent our 
country in a nation of great importance, in a region of great change, 
in a world in transition. I am confident that he will work to the best 
of his considerable abilities to ensure a prosperous, peaceful, and 
productive relationship with Japan.
  I don't know of anyone, Democrat or Republican, I would be happier to 
stand on this floor and recommend to the people of the United States as 
Ambassador of Japan, or anyone who could serve more ably, or one who 
would be more effective. There isn't anyone who would be more patriotic 
and dedicated to the service of his country than Howard Baker.
  I came to the floor immediately after the hearing and urged the 
majority leader to bring this nomination up today. There is no point in 
waiting. Bring it up today. I asked my own leader on this side of the 
aisle if we could do this nomination today. Of course, they had already 
made up their minds to do it today.
  I have looked forward to this moment. I am proud of my service with 
Howard Baker. I am proud of Howard Baker because he typifies to me a 
true Senator, a Senator who understands the importance of party, 
political party, but a Senator who puts the Senate and the Constitution 
and his country above political party. I know because I was here when 
he did it.
  As my former colleague prepares to journey to Tokyo following his 
confirmation, Erma and I will be wishing him and Nancy, his lovely 
wife, the best and a very successful tenure in that office.
  Mr. President, I close by those words first written by Horace Greeley 
because they typify what I think is best about Howard Baker and 
basically what is most needed by every statesman who serves in 
government, whether at the national or local level, and basically what 
distinguishes one individual from another perhaps:

       Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing. 
     Only one thing endures, and that is character.

  This man has it. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I compliment the distinguished Senator 
from West Virginia on a characteristically extraordinary statement. He 
speaks for all of us. He spoke eloquently, sincerely, and truthfully.
  Senator Mike Mansfield once called America's relationship with Japan 
our most important bilateral relationship. How right he was.
  Combined, our two countries account for more than 40 percent of the 
world's gross domestic product. When our nations work together, we can 
make and have made Asia more stable, Japan stronger, and America more 
secure.
  Today, during this time of transition in Asia, our alliance with 
Japan is

[[Page S5567]]

more important than ever. I can think of no individual better equipped 
than Senator Howard Baker to ensure that our two countries continue to 
work together and succeed together.
  As our distinguished Senator from West Virginia noted, Senator Baker 
served not only as the Republican leader, as the minority leader of the 
party, but also as the majority leader at a time when America faced 
challenges at home and the monumental challenge of the cold war. He 
worked with his colleagues in the Senate without regard to party 
affiliation to lead us through countless legislative challenges, and he 
proved to be a statesman without equal.
  By confirming Senator Baker's nomination, we are sending Japan more 
than an outstanding Ambassador. We are sending a message that we 
believe Senator Mansfield's observation is truer today than it has ever 
been. The alliance between our two great nations is so important that 
it demands an Ambassador of the caliber of Senator Howard Baker, and I 
am certain that Japan will recognize, by receiving Senator Baker and 
Senator Nancy Kassebaum, that America is clearly sending its very best.
  I join with my colleagues this afternoon in expressing heartfelt 
congratulations to Howard and Nancy, to express a sentiment I know is 
shared by every Member of this body in our pride and admiration for 
them and in our hope that they continue to enjoy public service and our 
thanks for serving their country so well. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise in strong support of the 
nomination of Howard Baker to be U.S. Ambassador to Japan. I must say, 
and I am merely here speaking to the Japanese, I think this nomination 
is yet again a clear indication of the importance the United States 
attaches to the relationship with Japan.
  For now what will be a quarter of a century, we have sent Senator 
Mike Mansfield, Speaker Tom Foley, and now Senator Howard Baker as our 
representatives to the Japanese Government and to the Japanese people. 
I hope it is fully appreciated in Japan--and I think it is--exactly 
what this means in terms of how highly we value this relationship, how 
important we think it is to the course of events internationally and, 
of course, how much it reflects the very strong conviction on the part 
of all of us here that Howard Baker and his wife Nancy will do an 
outstanding job representing us.
  I have taken the floor of the Senate on occasion to oppose 
ambassadorial nominations, particularly non-career ambassadorial 
nominations. I do not take the position that all Ambassadors should 
come out of the career service because I think we can draw from outside 
of the career service to bring people who can make a real 
contribution--and there is something of a tradition of that in our 
country--although I think it is very important that the large majority 
of the positions go to career people in part to help maintain the 
morale of the Foreign Service, so someone going into the Foreign 
Service at a young age and committing a career to the Foreign Service, 
who has an opportunity to rise and become an Ambassador, is not cut off 
as they move up the ladder because the Ambassadors are all brought in 
from outside. That would have a very harmful impact on the morale of 
the Foreign Service, and I think having a Foreign Service with high 
morale is a very important thing in contributing to America's interests 
and objectives around the world.
  If someone were to come to me and say, ``You have admitted you would 
accept non-career people; you do not have an absolutely rigid position 
on that; what kind of people is it you are looking for in terms of non-
career people to become Ambassadors,'' I would start right off by 
saying I would be looking for someone like Howard Baker. This can be 
the mold, in a sense, of what we are looking for from outside the 
career foreign service.
  We have all known Howard well in the Senate. We hold him in enormous 
respect. He is a man of great wisdom and judgment, of never-failing 
courtesy. All here who have dealt with him always sensed the respect he 
extended to others which, of course, evoked a respect from others back 
towards him. We need to remember that lesson around here sometimes.
  Over the years we saw him exercise power with a sensitivity and a 
responsibility that is a real tribute to him as a leader. We have a lot 
of difficult issues that arise from time to time with Japan.
  We ought not let those issues cause us to lose sight of how important 
having a strong positive relationship is with that country. I am sure 
Howard Baker, as his predecessors, Tom Foley and Mike Mansfield, have 
done, will be able to communicate that to the Japanese people and 
communicate back to Members of the Congress the situation that exists.
  One of the things that both Ambassador Mansfield and Ambassador Foley 
did was maintain contacts with Members of Congress. Having come out of 
the institution, they appreciated the role it plays in these 
relationships. I think that is one of the strengths that Howard Baker 
will bring to this ambassadorship. Second, he served in the White House 
as chief of staff, so he knows the workings of the executive branch. He 
can bring that expertise also to bear as he assumes this very important 
responsibility.
  I think Nancy Baker will be an extremely important dimension to this 
ambassadorship. I know at one point there was talk of a co-
ambassadorship. I don't quite see how you do that, given the direct 
responsibilities on an Ambassador, but I am sure she will add a very 
significant and extra dimension to this representation that our country 
will have in Japan.
  I am pleased to take the floor, along with my other colleagues, in 
support of this nomination. I thank the distinguished Senator from West 
Virginia for his very eloquent statement about Howard Baker, about 
their relationship in the Senate, and about his character.
  This is a man of character. This is a man of wisdom. This is a man of 
judgment. This is a man of civility. I am delighted he will be our 
Ambassador to Japan.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kansas.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise to support the nomination as 
well of Senator Howard Baker to be Ambassador to Japan, and of Nancy 
Kassebaum, a good friend of mine, a former Senator from Kansas, to go 
along, as well.
  Senator Baker I have gotten to know better. I have not served in this 
body with him.
  I have known Nancy Kassebaum very well over the years, her political 
history in Kansas. Her family has great leadership in my State. Her 
dad, Alf Landon, was a Presidential nominee, and in 1936 was Governor 
of Kansas. Senator Kassebaum followed in his footsteps as a very able, 
qualified, wholesome, and dignified public servant. She did an 
excellent job. She will do an excellent job in Japan, as well.
  Senator Howard Baker I have gotten to know later in life. Sometimes 
he has come to Kansas State University football games. A great fan--and 
he picks a great team to support. When we play Tennessee, I understand 
they have a family dispute between Kansas and Tennessee and he stays 
with Tennessee, while Senator Kassebaum stays with Kansas State 
University.
  This is an important nomination for reasons already noted, but I will 
reiterate; that is, the significance of the stature of the Ambassador 
we are sending to represent us in Japan. Japan is a key ally of the 
United States. Japan is in a region that will draw increasing focus 
from the United States in the future and has in recent times even more 
so. So we are sending to Japan a man of stature from our Nation to 
represent us in a part of the world on which we will increasingly 
focus.
  We have had difficulties recently in Asia, particularly in our 
relationship with China. We are expanding our relationship with other 
nations throughout Asia. We are expanding our relationship with India 
and South Asia. This entire region of the world is growing in 
significance globally and growing in significance to the United States.

  It is important we send this level of leadership to this region in 
the form of Senator Baker, for him to be able to represent our 
interests and our thoughts at this time of expanded U.S. activity and 
engagement throughout that area.

[[Page S5568]]

  I wholeheartedly endorse his nomination as a member of the Committee 
on Foreign Relations. I am delighted the United States will have this 
individual involved in its foreign affairs. He will make an outstanding 
representative, an outstanding Ambassador. Nancy Kassebaum will be a 
co-Ambassador. I think she will be dearly loved by the Japanese people, 
the same way she was loved by the people of Kansas. While she served in 
the Senate, there was no politician in the country who had a higher 
approval rating on a statewide basis than Nancy Kassebaum. There are 
some who say she ranked just below the sunset and the wheat harvest in 
her approval ratings in our State. She had a lofty stature, and she 
will carry that along with her to Japan. This is a great nomination 
that I wholeheartedly support.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Allard). The Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS. I ask it be in order for me to deliver my brief remarks 
seated at my desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I made some remarks this morning at the 
time of the reporting out of the Committee on Foreign Relations the 
very wise nomination of Howard Baker to be the U.S. Ambassador to 
Tokyo. I said then, and I repeat, there is not one Senator who ever 
served with the distinguished former majority leader of this Senate--
and I see where he sat right there--not one Senator who would not be 
honored to join in paying his or her respects to one of the most 
respected Senators ever to serve in the Senate.
  All of us have fond memories of our relationship with Senator Baker, 
and all of us like him and respect him and admire him for his 
intelligence and his legislative skills and his ability to broker 
meaningful compromises and for being just a darn nice guy.
  I must confess, my affection for Howard is because he has been so 
gracious to my grandchildren, and that is the way to any man's heart. I 
recall that on one occasion, the day after one of my granddaughters was 
born, Howard was going to North Carolina with me for a little 
adventure. He called me before we left and he said: Jesse, who is going 
to meet us at the airport?
  I said: I don't know, but I will find out.
  He said: I just wondered if I could take a trip.
  I said: You can go anywhere you want to go.
  He said: I would like to go to the hospital where that young one of 
yours was born yesterday.

  I said: Howard, you don't need do that.
  And he said: No, I like grandchildren, and I would like to go, if you 
don't mind.
  I said: Fine.
  He said: As long as I'm going, can I take my camera with me?
  A lot of people don't know that he is an accomplished photographer 
and has published two or three books of pictures that are outstanding. 
He took pictures of that young one just born 24 hours earlier, and her 
mama and proud daddy and granddaddy and all the nurses in the hospital.
  Fast forward about 4 or 5 years and Katie Stuart visited us and 
Howard found out about it. He was then the chief of staff for the 
President of the United States at the White House, President Ronald 
Reagan. He called me up and said: We need to update that picture that 
we took at the hospital. So we went down to the White House and he had 
all the lights set up and he said: Now, Jesse, I want you to get Katie 
in your arms and I want to photograph the proudest granddaddy and the 
sweetest granddaughter I ever saw. And he took that picture. That 
picture is on my wall to this good day.
  Howard Baker will make a great Ambassador. On his own hook he would 
be great, but he has a second advantage, and that is a lady named Nancy 
Kassebaum Baker, who sat right back there, as a great Senator herself. 
And as someone said this morning, Nancy herself would make a good 
Ambassador anywhere she was sent.
  I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that Howard Baker's 
experience and personal qualities and those of Nancy Kassebaum Baker 
will serve him and her and them well. The United States relationship 
with Japan is critical in this new era. In sending an Ambassador such 
as Howard Baker, President Bush has chosen a superbly qualified 
American to represent the American people in Japan, an outstanding ally 
of our country, the United States of America.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise in support of Howard Baker. I 
realize this is unusual; the chairman of the committee should be the 
one to close. I apologize. I didn't know you were speaking. I think I 
am the last to speak and I will be brief.
  Howard Baker is one of the few men or women nominated for Ambassador 
that it would be warranted not to be briefed about because there is so 
much to say about Howard Baker. The distinguished senior Senator from 
Hawaii, standing in the well, knows him as well as I do--and maybe a 
little better. I have been here 28 years. He was as fine a leader of 
the Senate as we had in either party. He is a man who, as I said this 
morning, possessed not only good judgment but a strong dose of wisdom.
  Howard Baker has a piece of the country lawyer in him, the country 
lawyer who knows how to cut through difficult circumstances in a way 
that resolves a situation and at the same time does no harm or damage 
to either the egos and/or positions of either of the parties. That is 
the mark of a leader. It seems to me that is the primary ingredient 
that an Ambassador should possess.
  The appointment of Howard Baker to be Ambassador to Japan is the 
single strongest signal that the people of Japan could have that we 
value this relationship with Japan.
  Senator Helms and I have been here the same length of time, Senator 
Inouye longer, but I doubt whether there is any country to which we 
have sent more distinguished men and women--men in this case--than to 
Japan. He goes in the tradition of some truly great Americans. That 
sounds like a trite thing to say, ``great Americans,'' but Mike 
Mansfield, ``iron Mike,'' from Montana had more integrity in his little 
finger than most have in their whole body, a man whom everyone admired, 
a distinguished Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tom Foley, a 
distinguished colleague of ours, and on the opposite side of my friend 
from North Carolina, but respected, Fritz Mondale, a man who graced 
this place--and I mean that literally, graced this body--and Howard 
Baker. And I am leaving out others of consequence as well.

  Let me say it is not hyperbole to suggest, as I did this morning, and 
the Senator referenced it, that Senator Nancy Kassebaum, all by 
herself, would be fully capable of dispatching the responsibilities of 
the Ambassador to Japan. Really, as we always say, the Senator from 
North Carolina and I, because of our responsibilities on the Foreign 
Relations Committee and confirming all Ambassadors--we always say the 
spouse of the nominee is someone who makes a sacrifice as well as who 
makes a contribution. It is almost always true, in some cases more than 
others.
  This is a combination of political leadership, diplomacy, knowledge, 
and access--access to the corridors of power in the White House--that I 
think is unparalleled.
  I join with my colleagues in saying that Howard Baker is a fine 
choice. More than that, he is a truly fine man.
  As I said this morning, he and I have been on opposite sides of 
things--more together than on opposite sides--but I truly consider him 
a friend. It is presumptuous of me to say of a man of his stature that 
I am a friend. He was a man of consequence long before I arrived. I 
don't mean to be presumptuous in saying we are close friends. We are 
different in generations and different in age. But we are friends. I 
admire him. I admire him very much, and I compliment the President.
  I will close with what I have always thought to be and I believe to 
be an old Anglo-Saxon expression. It says: Character is little more 
than the lengthened shadow of a man.
  Howard Baker casts a very long shadow. He has great character. He 
will serve this Nation well at what I believe to be the single most 
critical time in U.S.-Japanese and U.S.-Asian affairs since the end of 
World War II. Words

[[Page S5569]]

matter; Howard Baker chooses his well, and I know of no place more than 
Japan where words, decorum, and diplomacy matter more.
  No better choice could be made. I compliment the President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Let me commend President Bush on his appointment of 
former Senator Howard Baker as the Ambassador to Japan. I guess, since 
we came to the Senate together, I know him about as well as any. I have 
traveled with him. I have seen him in action on trips. I have his 
photography in my home. I visited in his home at Huntsville, TN, with 
his former wife Joy and, since he lost Joy, he is now married to our 
great friend and distinguished former Senator from Kansas, Nancy 
Kassebaum.
  They are a wonderful family, Nancy's son, daughter-in-law, the 
grandchildren. They are right down there in my hometown of Charleston, 
so I get to see them fortunately from time to time.
  There is an old wag about coming to the Senate. You wonder how in the 
world, when you first get here, you got into this exclusive body. Then 
after a couple of years, you lose all humility and you wonder how the 
rest of them got here.
  You observe them. Everyone here has a talent, all of high intellect 
and experience or they would not have been selected by their several 
States.
  But what I really look for is that judgment. There is no question, 
more than a balanced budget we need balanced Senators around here, and 
that was Howard Baker. When I ran for President, I know no one 
remembers that----
  Mr. BIDEN. I do.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. You and I were out there together--to be forgotten.
  We were asked that question, when you get along to a stage in your 
campaign, who would you select as Secretary of State? This is back in 
the early 1980s. And I said Howard Baker because of his sense of 
history, his capacity for reasoned judgment, and his intellect. He 
knows the world. He knows Japan. He knows our defense needs, our 
security needs in the Pacific rim, our trade problems and opportunities 
there and everything else.

  Since others are here and ready and I take it we are ready to vote, 
let me simply say I am enthused about this particular appointment. I 
think the country is very fortunate to have him as our Ambassador.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, I yield 
the remainder of the time.
  I ask for the yeas and nays.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a 
sufficient second.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Will the chairman allow me to say one short 
thing?
  Mr. HELMS. I defer the question.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. I just wanted to say as a member of the 
Foreign Relations Committee, to the chairman and my ranking member, as 
a new Member, I was quite struck today at the testimony taken with 
regard to Senator Baker.
  First of all, I saw the deep respect that Senator Biden and Senator 
Helms had for him. And then I heard the testimony from Senator Dole as 
well, and Senator Byrd.
  What struck me was Senator Biden's words, when he referred to Senator 
Baker as a man of the Senate. Before I came here, I would not have 
known the depth of feeling in that statement. But as I have had the 
privilege of getting to know all of you, and to interact with you on a 
daily basis, I now understand the respect that you accorded to Senator 
Baker by referring to him as a man of the Senate: Someone whose word 
can be counted on; someone who has principles; someone whose sense of 
integrity other people recognize. Isn't that what we need in our 
Government these days?
  So it is with a feeling of great privilege that, as a new Senator, I 
join with all of you supporting Senator Baker to be our Ambassador to 
this very important country, to further the interests of the United 
States of America.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I renew my request.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time having expired, the question is, Will 
the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of Howard H. Baker, 
Jr., of Tennessee, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 
of the United States of America to Japan?
  The yeas have and nays have been ordered. The clerk will call the 
roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
  Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from Nevada (Mr. Ensign) is 
necessarily absent.
  The result was announced--yeas 99, nays 0, as follows:

                      [Rollcall Vote No. 166 Ex.]

                                YEAS--99

     Akaka
     Allard
     Allen
     Baucus
     Bayh
     Bennett
     Biden
     Bingaman
     Bond
     Boxer
     Breaux
     Brownback
     Bunning
     Burns
     Byrd
     Campbell
     Cantwell
     Carnahan
     Carper
     Chafee
     Cleland
     Clinton
     Cochran
     Collins
     Conrad
     Corzine
     Craig
     Crapo
     Daschle
     Dayton
     DeWine
     Dodd
     Domenici
     Dorgan
     Durbin
     Edwards
     Enzi
     Feingold
     Feinstein
     Fitzgerald
     Frist
     Graham
     Gramm
     Grassley
     Gregg
     Hagel
     Harkin
     Hatch
     Helms
     Hollings
     Hutchinson
     Hutchison
     Inhofe
     Inouye
     Jeffords
     Johnson
     Kennedy
     Kerry
     Kohl
     Kyl
     Landrieu
     Leahy
     Levin
     Lieberman
     Lincoln
     Lott
     Lugar
     McCain
     McConnell
     Mikulski
     Miller
     Murkowski
     Murray
     Nelson (FL)
     Nelson (NE)
     Nickles
     Reed
     Reid
     Roberts
     Rockefeller
     Santorum
     Sarbanes
     Schumer
     Sessions
     Shelby
     Smith (NH)
     Smith (OR)
     Snowe
     Specter
     Stabenow
     Stevens
     Thomas
     Thompson
     Thurmond
     Torricelli
     Voinovich
     Warner
     Wellstone
     Wyden

                             NOT VOTING--1

       
     Ensign
       
  The nomination was confirmed.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote and I move to 
lay that motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The President shall be immediately notified of 
the Senate's action.

                          ____________________