[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 106 (Wednesday, July 15, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7577-S7578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
the Senate proceed to executive session and that the Commerce Committee 
be discharged en bloc from further consideration of PN638 and PN639 and 
that the Senate proceed en bloc to their consideration; that the 
nominations be confirmed and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table en bloc; that no further motions be in order; that any statements 
relating to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the 
President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and the 
Senate then resume legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows:


             national aeronautics and space administration

       Charles F. Bolden, Jr., of Texas, to be Administrator of 
     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
       Lori Garver, of Virginia, to be Deputy Administrator of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, by this action, it concludes a 
very happy chapter for what I think will be the future of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. PN638 is Presidential No. 638, 
and that is the nomination of GEN Charles F. Bolden to be the NASA 
Administrator, whom we have just confirmed, and PN639 is Presidential 
No. 639, which is the nomination of Lori Garver to be Deputy 
Administrator for NASA which we have just confirmed. My congratulations 
to the two of them.
  I will make one personal comment. General Bolden is someone who has 
known adversity but has always been an overcomer.
  This was certainly true in South Carolina, in 1964, when, as an 
African American, he could not get an appointment from his 
congressional delegation to Annapolis. The Defense Department found 
Charlie and arranged for a Chicago Congressman to nominate him. When 
Charlie arrived as a freshman at Annapolis, he was promptly elected 
president of the freshman class. So you can see the progression of 
being an overcomer.
  Upon graduation from Annapolis, choosing the Marines, choosing to 
fly, becoming a marine test pilot, applying to the astronaut office, 
becoming an astronaut, flying twice as shuttle pilot and twice as 
commander--four times--returning to active duty in the Marine Corps, 
and rising to the level of major general, after having commanded 
several Marine wings; and now the dream is fulfilled that Charlie has 
now been confirmed as head of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration.
  I think it is interesting that at 6:03 this evening the space shuttle 
lifted off into a successful mission. This space shuttle holds the 
second record for the most delays--six. It is exceeded by the first 
space flight that General Bolden took, of which I had the privilege of 
being a member of that crew in January of 1986. We were delayed seven 
times--scrubbed four times on the pad before launching on the fifth try 
into an almost flawless 6-day mission.
  General Bolden takes over NASA at a critical time. NASA is in drift. 
It needs a leader. But also for General Bolden to be successful as the 
leader of NASA, he has to have the backing of the President of the 
United States, who is the one who can give the ultimate leadership to 
our Nation's space program.
  So it was such a privilege for me, Mr. President, to come and 
propound this unanimous consent request and to see the Senate confirm, 
by your order, unanimously, the nominations of the Administrator and 
the Deputy Administrator of NASA. Needless to say, there are a lot of 
smiles that are going to be across America as a result of this action.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I am in support of President Obama's 
nomination of Charles Bolden as the next Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, and Lori Garver as the 
Deputy Administrator of NASA.
  We are at a critical point in NASA's history, and our space agency 
needs a leadership team devoted to the core mission of the agency.
  Mr. Bolden has a compelling story. He transcended barriers and 
established himself at the forefront of our Nation's scientific policy. 
A career marine and true leader, Mr. Bolden is deeply committed to 
fostering a balanced space program focused on safe,

[[Page S7578]]

reliable human space exploration, and robust scientific research and 
innovation. A seasoned astronaut, Mr. Bolden has experienced first hand 
the significance of space exploration, traveling into orbit four times 
between 1986 and 1994, including a mission to deploy the Hubble space 
telescope.
  From commanding missions in space to serving our Nation in the U.S. 
Marine Corps, Mr. Bolden has displayed the experience, leadership 
skills, and know-how to successfully guide NASA into the future.
  In addition, Lori Garver is a leader in the aerospace industry and 
has displayed tremendous management ability and intellect. Her 
knowledge of our space program will be key to NASA's leadership team.
  Again, I fully support the nomination of Charles Bolden and Lori 
Garver as the next Administrator and Deputy Administrator of NASA.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.

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