[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NOMINATION OF JACK A. MARKELL

  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I rise this evening to speak about 17 
nominees who will be confirmed in the wrap-up of this evening's 
session--17 nominees to serve as Ambassadors for the United States 
around the world or to represent us in international organizations.
  I am grateful that we have been able to reach an agreement with those 
Senators who have been blocking their confirmation. I, frankly, wish we 
had been able to clear even further. There are 38 ambassadorial or 
senior position nominees waiting for action on this floor, and it is my 
hope that when we return in September, we will clear the remaining 
ones.
  But this evening, I wanted to speak about one nominee in particular, 
the Honorable Jack Markell, who has been nominated and will this 
evening be confirmed to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San 
Marino.
  I have known Jack and his wife Carla for more than three decades. As 
Jack liked to say when he was Governor, Delaware is a ``State of 
neighbors,'' and no one better epitomizes that friendly attitude, that 
commitment to one another's well-being more than our former Governor 
Jack Markell.
  As treasurer, as Governor, as a businessman, now as Ambassador to the 
OECD--the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development--Jack 
is used to working cooperatively with others to get things done and to 
do things the right way.
  As Governor, he steered our State through an incredibly difficult and 
demanding fiscal crisis, getting us back on track. Along the way, he 
expanded opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. He 
created a national model for workplace experience and college credit 
opportunities, and he launched a much lauded kindergarten language 
immersion program.
  As the White House Coordinator for Operation Allies worldwide, he 
facilitated the vetting and resettlement of Afghans who served 
alongside us during 20 years of conflict; and now as ambassador to the 
OECD, he has worked with our partner nations to emphasize energy 
security, sustainable development goals, and to support Ukraine against 
a brutal Russian invasion.
  Italy is, obviously, a key NATO ally. And Italy is facing some of its 
biggest challenges in decades and has come out the stronger for it. 
Italy is a committed partner in NATO to the United States and to 
Ukraine as a nation fighting on the front lines of freedom.
  Earlier today, I had the honor of joining our leader Senator Schumer 
and the Republican Leader Senator McConnell in a meeting with Prime 
Minister Meloni of Italy during her visit to the United States, on a 
day when she met with our President, Joe Biden, to talk about how we 
can further deepen and strengthen the transatlantic alliance.
  And I was grateful to hear the strong bipartisan support of this 
Chamber's two leaders for the continued effort to arm, to equip, to 
support Ukraine in its important fight against Russian aggression.
  I am also thrilled that in just a few moments, this Chamber will 
confirm the nomination of Jack Markell to serve as our ambassador to 
Italy and San Marino. This position has been vacant for more than 2 
years, and we cannot ignore such a vital post any longer. In these 
uncertain times, the United States has found greater strength in allies 
and partner nations, and Jack is the consummate bridge-builder who 
understands how important alliances are.
  He will bring a little bit of the ``Delaware Way'' of working across 
the aisle, of finding commonsense solutions, and of solving real 
problems to his new post in Rome. So to a dedicated and capable public 
servant with experience to match, to a friend of decades, 
congratulations to Governor Markell, Ambassador Markell, as you embark 
on this next chapter in service to our Nation.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.

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