[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 21 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Carol Dinkins

  Mr. CORNYN . Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination 
of Carol Dinkins of Houston, TX, to be the chair of the Privacy and 
Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
  Congress recently created this important position based on the 
recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The Privacy and Civil Liberties 
Oversight Board is designed to monitor and uphold our nation's 
commitment to defend civil liberties. Part of the board's 
responsibilities will be to provide honest, responsible, and fair 
review of the development and implementation of laws, regulations, and 
executive branch policies--specifically with respect to our Federal 
Government's commitment to protect America from the ongoing threat of 
terrorism.
  The board will play an important role in ensuring that privacy and 
civil liberty concerns are appropriately considered. Such oversight is 
important because, as a Nation, we proudly revere our civil liberties. 
We must remain committed to vigorously defend them, in order to ensure 
that we remain a beacon of freedom to the rest of the world.
  Congress strives to strike a careful and wise balance between 
national security and civil liberties. While this is not always easy, I 
believe we do so with the best interests of our Nation in mind--and do 
so in an honest and good faith manner.
  Ms. Dinkins is the right person for this important position, as she 
has proven throughout her distinguished career to share these values. 
Her vast public service and private-sector experience will allow Carol 
Dinkins to offer unique perspectives to the privacy board. As Deputy 
Attorney General under President Reagan--the second-highest ranking 
position in the Department of Justice--Ms. Dinkins was responsible for 
the day-to-day management of the Justice Department's more than 60,000 
employees. Moreover, she played a significant role in the development 
of the Reagan administration's criminal justice and anti-terrorism 
policies.
  Ms. Dinkins has also been a long-time partner in the distinguished 
Texas law firm of Vinson & Elkins. She has devoted a substantial amount 
of her time to a variety of public service initiatives, including 
service on the American Bar Association, and has also donated 
significant time to activities designed to promote conservation and 
protect the environment.
  I am proud to support Carol Dinkins for this position and am 
confident that she will serve the Nation with honor and distinction.

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