[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S7394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Linda Springer

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I would like to thank the Senate for 
its expeditious consideration of Ms. Linda Springer of Pennsylvania to 
be the Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
  On Wednesday, June 15, I chaired a hearing of the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to consider the nomination 
of Ms. Springer. One week later, the committee unanimously approved her 
nomination. As my colleagues in the Senate know, I am committed to 
finding solutions to the human capital challenges of the Federal 
Government. Clearly, there is no more important partner in the 
executive branch of Government than the Director of the Office of 
Personnel Management in addressing these issues.
  The Federal civil service now is undergoing the most dramatic changes 
in more than a quarter century. For example, agencies are implementing 
new performance management and a related pay for performance systems 
for the senior executive service. The Department of Homeland Security 
and the Department of Defense are designing new, modern, and flexible 
personnel systems to meet their national security missions. As these 
and other reforms continue, leadership from the Office of Personnel 
Management is imperative to guarantee that the merit principles that 
are the core of our Federal civil service are upheld and that the new 
personnel systems are fair and equitable for employees.
  During the committee's hearing, I found Ms. Springer to be focused, 
dedicated, and more than capable of taking on this important job. Prior 
to the hearing, I met with Ms. Springer in my office and was impressed 
with her candor and recognition of the challenges confronting the 
workforce.
  Ms. Springer's experience in the private sector and as Controller of 
the Office of Management and Budget has prepared her to lead this 
Federal agency. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support this 
nomination. Thank you.

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