[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5041-S5045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that,
notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXII, the Senate proceed to
executive session for the consideration of Calendar No. 592; that there
be 15 minutes of debate only on the nomination, equally divided in the
usual form; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote
on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that if
confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon
the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's
action, and the Senate then resume legislative session without any
intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the nomination.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Carla
D. Hayden, of Maryland, to be Librarian of Congress for a term of ten
years.
Thereupon, the Senate proceeded to consider the nomination.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of
Dr. Carla Hayden to be the head of the Library of Congress. President
Obama nominated her on February 24, 2016, and the Rules Committee held
a hearing on April 20, 2016.
[[Page S5042]]
I thank the chairman of the Rules Committee, the Senator from
Missouri, Mr. Blunt, and Senator Schumer.
Why is there an urgency to confirm Dr. Hayden?
Speaking as the vice chair of appropriations committee, the Library
of Congress has $600 million of appropriations funded through the
legislative branch and 3,000 employees. In addition to the work they do
that is well known with the Library of Congress, they also oversee the
U.S. Copyright Office for the entire Nation, which needs leadership and
resources. The Library of Congress also needs to move into the digital
age, and that is why President Obama nominated Dr. Carla Hayden.
As Senators from Maryland, Senator Cardin and I know Dr. Hayden well.
She has been head of the Maryland Enoch Pratt Free Library for 23
years. She is distinguished. She was the past president of the American
Library Association and was confirmed by the Senate in 2010 to serve on
the National Museum and Library Services Board and has received
numerous awards.
She has proven herself to be a skilled manager of large, complex
projects and handling large budgets. She moved the Enoch Pratt Free
Library into the digital age by leading the renovation of IT
infrastructure dating back to the 1930s. When she did that, she not
only brought the library into the modern age, she avoided techno-
boondoggles and produced tangible results.
She established a new wing dedicated to young adults, guided the $11
million annex to house the library's oldest and rarest materials, and
also made the library a statewide research institution. She is a
transformational leader who receives kudos from community leaders,
archivists, and academics.
President Obama has nominated a qualified candidate, and our Nation
will be well served by her confirmation.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a statement by the
American Library Association and other information related to Dr.
Hayden be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the American Library Association]
Broad Public, Library and Educational Sector Support of Hayden
Nomination
More than 140 national nonprofit and library groups, schools, and
academic libraries urge Dr. Carla Hayden's rapid confirmation as
Librarian of Congress
Washington, DC.--``The Library of Congress has never more
needed the unique combination of character, acumen and
humanity that Dr. Carla Hayden is so professionally,
intellectually and personally qualified to offer that great
institution. We urge her earliest possible approval by the
Rules Committee and rapid confirmation by the Senate,'' said
more than 20 leading national nonprofit organizations in the
letter below.
Nonprofit supporters were also joined by two dozen
educational institutions (ranging from community colleges to
the Big Ten and Ivy League); two dozen additional academic
libraries from every corner of the country; more than a score
of national library groups; and virtually all of the nation's
state library associations. Organized by the American Library
Association (ALA), of which Dr. Hayden is a past-president,
the letter was transmitted late yesterday to the members of
the Senate Rules Committee which today holds its confirmation
hearing on her nomination to become America's 14th Librarian
of Congress.
ALA President Sari Feldman previously said of Dr. Hayden's
nomination:
``The President could not have made a better choice. Hats
off to President Obama for nominating Dr. Hayden, a
professional librarian uniquely positioned with the
leadership and management skills and understanding of digital
technology to make the Library of Congress the preeminent
national library in the world, highly-valued by and serving
all Americans as a treasured resource. We look forward to
working closely with her to further librarians' bedrock
principle that all Americans everywhere deserve and must have
equitable access to the information that they need to succeed
and lead productive lives in the digital age.''
The 140+ group letter of support follows:
National organizations: American Booksellers Association,
American Historical Association, Authors Alliance, Bill of
Rights Defense Committee/Defending Dissent Foundation,
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Center
for Democracy and Technology, Constitutional Alliance,
Electronic Frontier Foundation, Government Accountability
Project, Harry Potter Alliance, National Coalition for
Literacy, OpenTheGovernment.org, Organization for
Transformative Works, PEN American Center, Public Knowledge,
Reach Out and Read, Reading is Fundamental, Scholarly
Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), Society
of American Archivists, The OpenGov Foundation, The Sunlight
Foundation
National Regional library organizations: National
Association of Law Libraries, American Association of School
Librarians, American Library Association, Association of
College and Research Libraries, Association for Library
Collections & Technical Services, Association for Library
Service to Children, Association for Specialized and
Cooperative Library Agencies, Association of Research
Libraries, Association of Southeastern Research Libraries,
Greater Western Library Alliance, Library Information
Technology Association, Library Leadership & Management
Association, New England Library Association, New Jersey
Association of College and Research Libraries, Public Library
Association, Reference and User Services Association,
Southeastern Library Association, United for Libraries:
Association of Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations,
Urban Libraries Council, Urban Librarians Unite, Young Adult
Library Services Association
Educational institutions: Agnes Scott College (Atlanta),
Appalachian State University (Boone, NC), Bates College
(Lewiston, Maine), Clemson (SC) University Libraries,
Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH), DePaul University (Chicago),
Goucher College (Baltimore), Grand Valley State University
(Allendale, Mich.), Illinois Wesleyan University
(Bloomington, Ill.), Missouri State University (Springfield,
Mo), Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.), The
Pennsylvania State University (State College, Pa.), Rollins
College (Winter Park, Fla.), St. Charles Community College
(Cottleville, Mo.), Santa Clara University (Santa Clara,
Calif.), Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), Trinity
University (San Antonio), University of Arkansas
(Fayetteville, Ark.), University of California, Los Angeles
(Los Angeles), University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder,
Colo.), University of Missouri-Kansas City (Kansas City,
Mo.), The University of New Orleans, Utica (N.Y.) College,
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Academic libraries: Appalachian State University Libraries
(Boone, N.C.), College of the Canyons Library (Santa Clarita,
Calif.), Denison University Libraries (Granville, Ohio),
Dominican University Graduate School of Library & Information
Science (Lake Forest, Ill.), Duquesne University Gumberg
Library (Pittsburgh), Florida State University Libraries
(Tallahassee, Fla.), The Furman University Libraries
(Greenville, S.C.), Georgia State University Library
(Atlanta), Georgetown University Library (Washington, D.C.),
Harvard Library (Cambridge, Mass), Ithaca (N.Y.) College
Library, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries
(Cambridge, Mass.), Michigan Academic Library Association,
Montana State University Library (Bozeman, Mont.), Montgomery
College Libraries (Rockville, Md.), Montgomery College Paul
Peck Humanities Institute (Rockville, Md.), New York
University Division of Libraries, Oregon State University
Libraries and Press (Corvallis, Wash.), The Rockefeller
University Rita and Frits Markus Library (New York), Rowan-
Cabarrus Community College Learning Resource Centers
(Salisbury, N.C.), Temple University Libraries
(Philadelphia), University of Arizona Libraries (Tucson,
Arz.), University of California Council of University
Librarians (11 campuses), University of Kansas Libraries
(Lawrence, Kan.)
State library associations: Alabama Library Association,
Alaska Library Association, Arizona Library Association,
California Library Association, Colorado Library Association,
Connecticut Library Association, Delaware Library
Association, District of Columbia Library Association,
Florida Library Association, Georgia Library Association,
Hawaii Library Association, Idaho Library Association,
Illinois Library Association, Indiana Library Association,
Iowa Library Association, Kansas Library Association,
Kentucky Library Association, Louisiana Library Association,
Maine Library Association, Maryland Library Association,
Massachusetts Library Association, Michigan Library
Association, Minnesota Library Association, Mississippi
Library Association, Missouri Library Association, Montana
Library Association, Nebraska Library Association, Nevada
Library Association, New Hampshire Library Association, New
Jersey Library Association, New Mexico Library Association,
New York Library Association, North Carolina Library
Association, North Dakota Library Association, Ohio Library
Association, Oklahoma Library Association, Oregon Library
Association, Pennsylvania Library Association, Rhode Island
Library Association, South Carolina Library Association,
South Dakota Library Association, Tennessee Library
Association, Texas Library Association, Utah Library
Association, Vermont Library Association, Virginia Library
Association, Washington Library Association, West Virginia
Library Association, Wisconsin Library Association, Wyoming
Library Association
____
Questions for the Record Submitted by Chairman Roy Blunt for Dr. Carla
Hayden, Librarian of Congress Nominee
Qualifications
1. You led the Pratt Library amidst some very difficult
circumstances. What about that experience has prepared you to
lead the world's largest library?
Answer: For more than 20 years leading the Enoch Pratt Free
Library, I ran a library
[[Page S5043]]
system that was the State of Maryland's research and
reference library and an opportunity center for patrons of
all ages and abilities. I witnessed how the Library made a
significant impact on the lives of thousands of people, from
researchers to job seekers.
During my tenure at the Pratt, the Library faced severe
fiscal challenges, and transitions in management structures.
At the same time, it strikingly became the main source of
public computing for literacy and life empowerment. I led the
Pratt Library as it redefined and refined its role as the
research and reference library for the entire State of
Maryland, providing internet service, staff training, public
programs and digitization of collections. I enlisted
substantial private and public support for the library,
including major capital projects and technological
improvements. My leadership required intense board and donor
cultivation as well as cooperative work with all levels of
government. As the primary advocate for the Library, I spoke
to various constituencies, represented the institution in
media, and made presentations on the needs of the Pratt
Library to various stakeholders.
2. If confirmed, what goals and perspectives will you bring
to the Library of Congress, and how will they advance the
mission of the Library?
Answer: My primary goals for the Library of Congress are
threefold: to ensure that it serves Congress at the highest
level; to expand and enhance the reach of the Library's
collections to innumerable settings throughout the country,
including classrooms and public libraries; and to engage key
stakeholders, including in the copyright community, to
address how the Library can best meet their needs.
Should I be confirmed, my perspective and experience will
assist the Library in meeting those goals in the following
ways. As chief executive officer of a complex library system
serving multiple constituencies with specialized services and
collections, I know the importance of consensus building and
strategic planning as vehicles to operate in a rapidly
changing technological environment and profession. During my
tenure at the Pratt Library, I also had the opportunity to
serve on numerous civic and professional boards and to be
elected President of the American Library Association (ALA)
with a membership of over 63,000. These experiences, combined
with my previous academic and professional tenures at the
University of Pittsburgh School of Information Science and
the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, give me a
broad outlook on managing change while preserving the
traditions and legacy of venerable institutions and
organizations.
Modernizing the Library of Congress
3. Problems with the Library's information technology (IT)
systems and management were well documented in a GAO audit
released last year. The Library has already taken steps to
address its IT deficiencies, but a lot of work remains. If
confirmed, how will you continue the Library's efforts to
improve and modernize its IT?
Answer: Modernized IT is the key to improving efficiency
and access at the Library, and in its component parts,
including the U.S. Copyright Office. I understand and will
not lose sight of its importance. In over 20 years at the
Pratt Library, I have overseen several IT modernization
projects with an attention to detail that matched the
significance of the project.
As the question notes, the Library is already making great
strides in IT modernization. A new Library Chief Information
Officer (CIO) was appointed in September 2015, and a Library-
wide IT Strategic Plan was finalized in December 2015,
demonstrating that the Library is moving in the right
direction. If confirmed, I look forward to executing and,
where appropriate, strengthening that plan.
4. Please explain your efforts as CEO of the Pratt Library
to improve access to digital resources, including computers
and e-readers, and to expand that library's electronic
collection.
Answer: One of my main priorities as CEO of the Pratt
Library was to secure resources to enable the library to
modernize its technological infrastructure not only in the
City of Baltimore but for the entire State of Maryland. The
Library serves as the State Library Resource Center.
Accordingly, it is responsible for providing internet and
reference services for library users across the state.
During my tenure, I led the effort to raise and secure
public and private funding to build the internet service for
libraries, school systems, and other government agencies in
Maryland. In the City, we established an IT plan and unit to
expand the Library's electronic collection by lending e-books
and e-readers while enhancing broadband and computer access
at all facilities. At present, the Pratt Library is the
largest provider of public access computers in Baltimore. In
fact, the Pratt Library was the first entity to utilize the
city's broadband network for public access. Also as the State
Library Resource Center, the Pratt Library maintains,
coordinates and updates the digitization program of
collections across the state.
5. Please explain how your experiences renovating and
modernizing the Pratt Library would guide you in modernizing
the Library of Congress and improving its IT infrastructure.
Answer: In my experiences at the Pratt Library I learned
first-hand the value of building a leadership team of senior
IT managers whose highest priority was the core mission of
the organization. In addition, I learned that where I
continuously stressed the importance of strong IT
infrastructure to the organization, the team was responsive.
If confirmed, I will take a similar approach at the Library,
a task made simpler by the strides the Library has recently
made in this area.
Copyright Office
6. The Copyright Office is also in the midst of an IT
modernization effort. If confirmed, how do you plan to assist
the Copyright Office in its effort? Would you advocate for
keeping the Copyright Office's IT systems aligned with those
of the Library, or are you open to giving the Office a degree
of independence (and the necessary resources) to manage its
own unique IT needs?
Answer: My goals for IT infrastructure at the Library
generally, and the U.S. Copyright Office more specifically,
are efficiency and effectiveness. I will approach the issue
of whether the U.S. Copyright Office should have separate IT
infrastructure with an open mind, and I will embrace the
solution that is most efficient and effective. As I approach
the issue, I will do so with an understanding that the U.S.
Copyright Office has particularized technology needs, and has
a weighty task in serving its important and diverse
stakeholders.
7. Some have noted that the Copyright Office's registration
process has become outdated, cumbersome, and backlogged,
particularly for those operating in the digital space. What
plans do you have to help the Register improve the copyright
registration process so the Office can meet the needs of
those industries at the core of the digital economy?
Answer: I understand that proposals are in place to address
these concerns. If confirmed I look forward to working with
the Library's CIO and the Register of Copyrights to secure
the necessary resources for implementation.
8. In your view what role should the Librarian of Congress
play in shaping copyright policy and influencing the agenda
of the Copyright Office?
Answer: By statute, the Librarian appoints and supports the
Register as the chief administrator of the U.S. Copyright
Office. In so doing, the Librarian relies on the significant
subject matter expertise provided by the Register. If
confirmed, I will carry out those responsibilities to ensure
the U.S. Copyright Office has what it needs to function
fully, effectively, and efficiently. In addition, if
confirmed, I will be attentive to the views and concerns of
stakeholders.
Congressional Research Service
9. If confirmed, what will you do to ensure that CRS
fulfills its mission of providing to Congress authoritative,
objective, nonpartisan legislative research and analysis? How
would you respond to a Member's concerns that CRS has fallen
short in this regard?
Answer: I believe the Library's Congressional Research
Service staff are the ``special forces'' who are there to
provide comprehensive and objective research to members of
Congress. If confirmed, I would fully support the CRS mandate
``to provide Congress, throughout the legislative process,
comprehensive and reliable legislative research, analysis and
information services that are confidential, objective,
nonpartisan, authoritative, and timely, thereby contributing
to an informed national legislature.'' If a Member concluded
that CRS had fallen short of that mandate, I immediately
would want to know how and why, and I would work with CRS to
address the concern.
Chairman Blunt Question during Hayden nomination hearing re: Child
Internet Protection Act
Chairman Blunt. Thank you, Senator Boozman. I have a couple
of other questions. Being the president of the American
Library Association is, I am sure, a great honor, but maybe
not an unmixed blessing, because suddenly you are responsible
for everything that is being talked about as part of the
association. There are a couple of areas of criticism that
you and I have talked about and I would like to get your
response to those on the record today. One was when the
Congress passed the Children's Internet Protection Act, the
American Library Association challenged the constitutionality
of that, arguing that it violated the First Amendment. And I
know, beginning then as a leader of the national organization
through really up until now, you have commented on this
several times, but you want to talk about that whole issue of
what kind of violation that would have been, and then the
issue of what kinds of things need to happen in a library to
be sure that children do not have access to material that we
would not want children to have access to, and then how often
you have to revisit that whole concept?
Dr. Hayden. I really appreciate that question, Senator,
because there has been quite a bit of just misinterpretation
of the Library Association's position during that time. That
was in 2003-2004, and at that time, the filters that would
have been required for libraries to install were found to
prohibit access to very important health information, and the
most notable at that time was breast cancer. And since that
time, the technology has improved and the filters that are
installed to receive federal funding--and my library, the
Pratt Library, in its state role, has installed filters--have
improved, and the need to be vigilant is also something that
libraries are doing in not only the technological aspect, but
just plain physical arrangements of computers, making sure
that
[[Page S5044]]
there are faceout positioning of computer monitors, as well
as very few, if any, cubicles that contain computers as well,
and education and making sure that people know that
pornography is illegal and we do not support that in any
shape or form.
Chairman Blunt. You do not think that pornography, illegal,
as you described it, has a place in the library?
Dr. Hayden. Not online, no.
Chairman Blunt. And there are, at the same time, things in
the library that are not appropriate for everybody that
visits the library to see.
Dr. Hayden. Right, and Senator, the way you described it is
exactly the way that libraries even design their buildings
and the furniture, and making sure there is even signage that
unaccompanied adults in children's sections are going to be
questioned. There are so many safety measures that are put in
public libraries, and even college and university libraries,
to make sure that minors are safe and that they are not
exposed to objectionable material as far as we can prevent.
____
Senator Cruz Questions for the Record for Dr. Carla D. Hayden Committee
on Rules and Administration--Nomination To Be Librarian of Congress
1. The Library of Congress recently announced its decision
to eliminate the terms ``aliens'' and ``illegal aliens'' from
subject heading and search classifications, replacing them
with the supposedly less ``pejorative'' terms ``Noncitizens''
and ``Unauthorized immigration.'' Numerous important
historical materials use the former terms. And at over 100
years of age, the heading ``aliens'' is one of the oldest
headings used by the Library. Moreover, Congress has chosen
to utilize these terms throughout the United States Code. The
Library's decision to nevertheless move forward with this
revisionist maneuver appears virtually unprecedented, and it
will waste resources and hinder research efforts.
Do you believe the largest library in the world should be
sacrificing research efficiency and resources in the name of
political correctness?
Answer: The Library of Congress has a long history of (i)
providing assistance to researchers in finding what they are
looking for in its vast collections, and (ii) sharing its
processes with libraries of all types throughout the nation.
Part of the Library's process includes reviewing catalog
subject headings, often at the request of the public or the
library community. In fact I was involved in a similar review
of the terms referring to African Americans, which evolved
from Negro, Black, and Afro-Americans during extensive debate
and discussion among numerous communities. In this current
subject heading review, my understanding is that the Library
is engaging in a customary public comment period and after
the comments are received will engage in additional review
regarding the matter.
Similarly, do you believe the exclusive research arm of
Congress should be eliminating search terms used extensively
by Congress in the United States Code?
Answer: I understand that the Library is reviewing this
matter and will consider the most effective and efficient use
of subject headings for research and reference for the public
in searching the Library's collections, as well as those in
libraries throughout the nation. This review will consider
the needs and use of Congress, as the core mission of the
Library is to assist Congress in performing its
constitutional duties.
As Librarian of Congress, would you reverse this
unprecedented and harmful action?
Answer: If confirmed, I would ensure that the
responsibilities of the Policy and Standards Division of the
Library, which responds to constituent request regarding
catalog subject headings, are performed and carried out in
the most professional, efficient, and objective manner. In
the position of Librarian of Congress, I would welcome the
opportunity to work with Congress to ensure that the
Library's mandates are fulfilled.
Ms. MIKULSKI. In the interest of time, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, the library of Congress is at a critical
juncture. We seldom talk about the Library because there have only been
13 Librarians who have served in the Library of Congress in the entire
history of the Library, dating back to the starting of the Federal
Government here in Washington. It is an important time for the Library
to have a chance to really focus on the technologies available to us
today.
I am the chairman of the Rules Committee, and the ranking Democrat on
that committee, Senator Schumer, and I proposed legislation earlier in
the year that would set a limit--for the first time--for the Library of
Congress. This nomination is the first nomination for a Librarian to
have a term limit. That 10-year term will replace what was previously a
lifetime appointment.
It is a critically important 10 years for the Library. Congress
unanimously agreed to make this change, and then the nomination of Dr.
Carla Hayden was received by the Rules Committee at the end of February
this year. Since that time, the committee has thoroughly vetted Dr.
Hayden. We reviewed her qualifications, writings, experience, and in
particular, her role in leading the Enoch Pratt Free Library in
Baltimore for the past 23 years. She oversaw the expansion and
modernization of the library and how it could be made more available to
people.
This committee spent more time reviewing this nomination than any
previous nomination for this position. I think she has an extraordinary
professional background. By the way, the longest serving Librarian of
Congress was a librarian, and she brings that skill in ways that nobody
else has in the past. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of
Chicago in library science. She served as an assistant professor at the
University of Pittsburgh, and spent 40 years working in her chosen
profession of leading library systems in Chicago and Baltimore.
She has been endorsed by librarians around the country, associations,
and higher education entities in many States, including my State.
Missouri State University and the University of Missouri in Kansas City
have both endorsed her service. The librarian in Ferguson, MO, served
on panels with her and has endorsed her. The libraries in both Ferguson
and Baltimore played their own roles in dealing with the stress that
those communities have faced over the last 2 years.
Dr. Hayden led the American Library Association from 2003 to 2004.
This is the national organization for librarians. In 2001, before she
began her tenure as President, the organization's council voted to
challenge the Children's Internet Protection Act on First Amendment
grounds. This act requires libraries receiving public funding to
install Internet content filters on public computers. This requirement
helps protect children from harmful Internet content in public
libraries, and, of course, I support its implementation.
In 2003, right before Dr. Hayden became president of the association,
the Supreme Court upheld the law, and she was actually the president of
the association not when they challenged the law but when they
implemented the law.
I specifically asked her about her position on the Children's
Internet Protection Act during our public hearing on the nomination,
and I wish to make a couple of points about her response to my
questions. She explained to the committee that the American Library
Association's concerns were focused on unintentionally restricting
access to nonpornographic materials, including health information
related topics like breast cancer. At the time, according to Dr.
Hayden, the filters were not as sophisticated as they are today, and
they had a tendency to overfilter in some areas. However, she made it
clear that her view of pornography was that it has no place in public
libraries and noted that her library, the Enoch Pratt library, has
installed filters consistent with the requirement of the law.
I will quote her testimony at this point because this has been the
one area where some Members have expressed concern. She said:
Technology has improved and the filters that are installed
to receive federal funding . . . have improved. And, the need
to be vigilant is also something that libraries are doing in
not only the technological aspect, but just plain physical
arrangement of computers, making sure that there are face-out
positioning of computer monitors, as well as very few, if
any, cubicles that contain computers as well, and education
and making sure people know that pornography is illegal and
we do not support that in any shape or form.
The committee went through a thorough process. She was unanimously
approved by the committee. I certainly agree with Senator Mikulski when
she said that this is an important time. We have taken the time to look
at this, and we don't need to wait any longer.
I urge my colleagues to approve this nomination.
Mr. President, I also ask that Senator Cardin have a chance to speak
about Dr. Hayden. He also knows her very well.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I thank Senator Blunt for his leadership
and for bringing this nomination to the floor. I wish also to thank
Senator Schumer and the manner in which it
[[Page S5045]]
was handled by the Rules Committee. The staff did a lot of work, and I
thank all who were involved in bringing this nomination forward.
We have heard from my colleagues, Senator Mikulski and Senator Blunt,
about the extraordinary qualifications of Dr. Hayden. She has the
academic credentials, experience, and proven leadership, as we saw with
the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore and what she was able to do.
I wish to add one more dimension to this, if I might, and that is the
person she is. She is admired by all. She knows how to bring people
together. She has incredible people skills in addition to having the
technical skills to be an extraordinary CEO and to manage a complex
operation. The Library of Congress is a complex operation. It takes a
great deal of management skills.
She has received many acknowledgements and awards during her career,
but the one that I think perhaps speaks to her character the most was
when the Daily Record gave her the award for the most admired CEO 2
years ago. That is a hard award to get, and it just shows that she
knows how to lead--but to lead in an effective way. Quite frankly, the
Library of Congress, I think, will benefit from those skills and use
those skills very effectively.
I also want to share with my colleagues that, in addition to her
credentials in her profession, which we have already gone through--
including being president of the American Library Association and also
serving on the accreditation committee--she has done a lot of the nuts
and bolts with regard to libraries both locally and nationally.
She has also been involved in many community activities. I know that
locally she served on the Goucher College board, the Baltimore Gas and
Electric board, and the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women. I
could mention a lot more activities. She has been an extremely engaged
individual in our community.
I know she will do a great job in this capacity, and I know she will
make us proud. We know the Library of Congress is the envy of the
world, and I think we have a world-class leader to lead the Library of
Congress. I urge my colleagues to support this confirmation.
If there is no one else who seeks recognition, I suggest that we
yield back all time and move toward a vote.
Mr. BLUNT. I yield back our time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
All time is yielded back.
Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Hayden
nomination?
The clerk will call the roll.
Mr. CORNYN. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the
Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Cochran), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr.
Inhofe), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Roberts), the Senator from South
Dakota (Mr. Rounds), the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Sessions), the
Senator from Alabama (Mr. Shelby), and the Senator from Mississippi
(Mr. Wicker).
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) is
necessarily absent.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber
desiring to vote?
The result was announced--yeas 74, nays 18, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 128 Ex.]
YEAS--74
Alexander
Ayotte
Baldwin
Barrasso
Bennet
Blumenthal
Blunt
Booker
Boozman
Boxer
Brown
Burr
Cantwell
Capito
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Collins
Coons
Corker
Cornyn
Donnelly
Durbin
Enzi
Feinstein
Fischer
Flake
Franken
Gardner
Gillibrand
Graham
Grassley
Hatch
Heinrich
Heitkamp
Hirono
Hoeven
Johnson
Kaine
King
Klobuchar
Lankford
Leahy
Manchin
Markey
McCaskill
McConnell
Menendez
Merkley
Mikulski
Moran
Murkowski
Murphy
Murray
Nelson
Paul
Peters
Portman
Reed
Reid
Schatz
Schumer
Shaheen
Stabenow
Sullivan
Tester
Thune
Tillis
Toomey
Udall
Warner
Warren
Whitehouse
Wyden
NAYS--18
Cassidy
Coats
Cotton
Crapo
Cruz
Daines
Ernst
Heller
Isakson
Kirk
Lee
McCain
Perdue
Risch
Rubio
Sasse
Scott
Vitter
NOT VOTING--8
Cochran
Inhofe
Roberts
Rounds
Sanders
Sessions
Shelby
Wicker
The nomination was confirmed.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the motion to
reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table and the President
will be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
____________________