[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NOMINATION OF CONDOLEEZZA RICE

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise to support the nomination of 
Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State. Dr. Rice has served the 
President with distinction over the past 4 years as National Security 
Adviser, and I have complete confidence she will bring the same 
talents, energy, and vision we have witnessed thus far to her new job 
at the State Department's helm.
  In many of her recent remarks and those of President Bush, Dr. Rice 
has emphasized the promotion of freedom and democracy as a hallmark of 
American foreign policy. Not only has Dr. Rice made democracy a 
centerpiece of her time at the White House, but also her life itself 
illustrates the final triumph of true democracy at home.

  Dr. Rice grew up in Birmingham, AL, in the heart of the segregated 
South. She has spoken movingly about her memory of the 1963 church 
bombing in her hometown. One of the innocent little girls who died 
there was a friend of hers.
  Dr. Rice grew up in a time and place where America's founding ideals 
had not yet become reality for all of our citizens. The United States, 
a country built on the idea of freedom, was not yet a full democracy.
  Perhaps it was this experience that led Dr. Rice to make the study 
and practice of political systems her life's work. After receiving her 
Ph.D. at the University of Denver, she joined Stanford University and 
quickly became identified as one of the world's leading scholars of the 
Soviet Union. We all know of her distinguished career since then.
  Dr. Rice has the confidence of the President of the United States. 
Dr. Rice has the confidence of the majority of this Senate. We know, as 
many of her critics have admitted on this floor, she will be easily 
confirmed.
  So I wonder why we are starting this new Congress with a protracted 
debate about a foregone conclusion. It cannot be for a lack of 
priorities because we surely have enough on our legislative plate this 
year. It can't be because Dr. Rice has suggested she has some flaw so 
fundamental that the Senate must block the President's choice. I can 
only conclude we are doing this for no other reason than because of 
lingering bitterness at the outcome of the elections.
  We need to move on. The people of the United States made their choice 
last November and they expect their elected officials to govern 
accordingly.
  When President Clinton was reelected for his second term, I didn't 
share the policy views of some of the officials he nominated, but I do 
not recall going through protracted battles such as this. We all have 
varying policy views, but the President, in my view, has a clear right 
to put into place the team he believes will serve him best.
  I believe this Nation is honored by the presence of Dr. Rice, by what 
she represents, by what she has achieved, and I believe she will be an 
enduring role model to all Americans, particularly Americans who are 
not of the majority in race in our country.
  I believe Dr. Rice is a living example of what can happen in America. 
From a beginning in a segregated South to the Secretary of State of the 
most powerful nation in the world is a great American success story. I 
hope all my colleagues, at the completion of this overwhelming vote in 
favor of her confirmation, will celebrate this great American success 
story and all of us will look forward to her leadership of the 
Department of State, and working with her here in the Halls of 
Congress.
  I yield the remainder of my time. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Vitter). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I understand we are in morning business 
and I have about 18 minutes; is that accurate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 17 minutes 15 seconds.

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