[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 145 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10840-S10841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TED POSNER

 Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I rise today to thank Ted Posner, 
who has worked for me for a year-and-a-half as Trade Counsel for the 
Senate Finance Committee.
  Ted joined my staff in April 2001 after working for 2 years for 
Congressman Sandy Levin, who is the Ranking Democrat on the Ways and 
Means Subcommittee on International Trade. There, Ted established 
himself as a nuts-and-bolts expert on trade laws. He earned the respect 
not only of his colleagues in the House and Senate, but also in the 
business community, and in the environmental and labor communities.
  Perhaps Ted's biggest achievement in the House was his work to help 
pass permanent Normal Trade Relations for China. Most people are aware 
of the strong efforts of the House Democrats to forge a compromise that 
would help pass this important legislation. But few recognize the 
behind-the-scenes efforts of staff. Ted's work on this issue was 
tireless, and all who support trade with China owe Ted their gratitude.
  Here in the Senate, Ted has continued his outstanding work--and 
helped

[[Page S10841]]

us pass the most comprehensive trade bill in more than 14 years. The 
Trade Act of 2002, as most people know, included not only Trade 
Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment Assistance, but also an 
extension and expansion of the Andean Trade Preference Act and the 
Generalized System of Preferences.
  Ted worked on most of these issues, but his work on the Andean trade 
bill and the provisions in TPA dealing with investor-state dispute 
settlement deserve particular mention. Especially on the issue of 
investment, Ted deserves great praise. This is a complicated and 
divisive issue. And Ted worked with all parties to come up with ideas 
that could win bipartisan support.
  Like many staff on Capitol Hill, Ted is an extraordinarily hard 
worker. But the consistent thread in all of Ted's work that separates 
him from so many is that he constantly strives for perfection. That is 
something that is rare, and it is something that has earned him my 
great respect.
  Now Ted is moving on to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 
where he will be Associate General Counsel. I have no doubt that Ted 
will be a great litigator, and I have full confidence in his 
representing the United States at the World Trade Organization.
  I thank Ted for his efforts and wish him good luck in the 
future.

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