[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3734-S3735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NOMINATION OF GARY LOCKE

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I rise to thank my colleagues for the 
expeditious approval of former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as the 36th 
Secretary of Commerce.
  I have known Gary Locke for more than 20 years and I can say to my 
colleagues you did the right thing tonight by approving him for this 
job.
  He has helped our State with broadband service delivery to rural 
communities. Under his leadership, Washington State used E-rate funds 
to help develop a K-20 network, a high-speed, high-capacity network 
linking K-12 schools and universities across the State of Washington.
  He has been involved with both public and private sector trade 
missions in helping to promote U.S. products abroad. At the 
International Trade Administration within Commerce, he will put that 
experience to good use. Part of that agency's mission is to provide for 
advocacy for American companies abroad, and it can mean the difference 
between whether major foreign sales opportunities go to U.S. companies 
or to foreign competitors.
  At NOAA, which is over half the Department of Commerce's budget, 
Governor Locke's prior experience with the complexities of Puget Sound, 
endangered salmon species, and the hazards of oil spills, will all be 
invaluable. As Governor, Gary Locke dealt with many of our most trying 
fishing issues and was in charge of appointing members to the North 
Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
  Fisheries in the North Pacific have been recognized by many 
organizations, including the U.S. Oceans Commission and the Pew Oceans 
Commission, as some of the best managed fisheries in the world.
  In addition to that effort, Governor Locke has dealt with the 
complexities of endangered salmon species and getting the first locally 
developed regional salmon recovery plan for Washington State. I know 
that this expertise will be put to good use at NOAA.
  Many of my colleagues understand that there are challenges at the 
Department of Commerce, including management challenges--from the set-
top box program for the digital television transition, to getting the 
NOAA satellite program back on track, to wisely investing the $4.7 
billion of broadband grants as part of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act.
  I know Governor Locke, who has never shied away from management 
challenges, will put his expertise to good work in making sure these 
programs are implemented effectively.
  He worked with Democrats and Republicans in our State after the tech 
bubble crisis to come up with a budget and spending reduction proposals 
that were certainly unpopular at the time, but what the State budget 
needed. I know he will continue in the same bipartisan fashion as 
Secretary of Commerce.
  I believe Governor Locke will help round out the President's economic 
team. He is someone who understands the challenges many Americans face 
as we try to stabilize our economy. Governor Locke was born and raised 
in public housing. He combined an intense work ethic with part-time 
jobs and financial aid, and graduated from Yale University and received 
a subsequent law degree from Boston University.
  He became the first Chinese American elected Governor in the United 
States when he was elected to be Governor of the State of Washington.
  He is a testament to the American dream.
  So I hope that as we have approved this nomination, he will get 
started immediately on helping our economy return to robust growth and 
use the great resourcefulness he has demonstrated as Governor of 
Washington State. He will make sure the Commerce Department plays a key 
role in getting our economy moving.
  I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I join my colleague from Washington 
State, Senator Cantwell, this evening to congratulate Gary Locke on his 
confirmation now as our next Secretary of Commerce. This confirmation 
comes at an important time in our Nation's history as we all work very 
hard to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great 
Depression. We need a Commerce Secretary with the dedication and 
expertise to carry out policies that are going to strengthen our 
economy far into the future. Gary Locke is uniquely qualified for that 
task because he does have a lifetime of experience built on hard work, 
a wealth of knowledge, and a unique appreciation of the American dream.
  Governor Locke understands the importance of the American dream 
because he lived it. His grandfather emigrated from China, and he 
worked as a servant about a mile from the Governor's mansion in Olympia 
that one day his grandson would call home. There are a lot of reasons 
why Governor Locke is an ideal Commerce Secretary, but I wish to tell a 
personal story this evening that I think illustrates his commitment to 
public service and to making sure we make the best decision for our 
taxpayers.
  I first met Governor Locke when he was in the Washington State 
legislature and he was chair of the House Appropriations Committee and 
I was a new State Senator trying to get a piece of legislation passed 
that was critical to my constituents. As part of getting that bill 
passed, I had to go before then-Gov. Gary Locke as chair of that 
Appropriations Committee, and it was one of the toughest political 
experiences of my lifetime. He knew the

[[Page S3735]]

budget inside and out. He ran me through the paces. He grilled me about 
what my bill would do and how much it would cost and what kind of 
impact it would have on the taxpayers. He was very tough. But 
ultimately, because he asked those hard questions and made me defend my 
legislation, we improved the focus of that legislation and we got it 
passed. Governor Locke has brought that level of expertise and 
dedication to the taxpayers in every single position he has held, and 
it makes him an ideal person now to lead the Commerce Department.
  So let me say a few words about the experience Governor Locke brings 
to this position. One of the most critical jobs the Commerce Secretary 
performs is finding markets for American products and technologies. He 
understands how important this is, and he knows how to do it 
successfully. As the two-term Governor of the Nation's most trade-
dependent State, he spent 8 years breaking down trade barriers and 
promoting our American products, from airplanes to apples to operating 
systems. He has led numerous successful delegations to our Asian 
trading partners to help build those relationships. He also understands 
that the health of the environment has a direct impact on our quality 
of life and on our economy.
  All of Governor Locke's experience means he is going to hit the 
ground running as our Commerce Secretary as we confront global climate 
change and other environmental concerns, including the management of 
our fisheries. So I was very pleased to help support the confirmation 
of Gary Locke. He won unanimous approval from our Commerce Committee, 
and today he won unanimous approval from the Senate. He has served the 
people of Washington State well, and he will bring that same level of 
commitment and intelligence to this administration.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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