[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    NOMINATION OF EDWARD GNEHM, JR.

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I thank all of my colleagues for the action 
that was just taken.
  This is truly one of the highlights of my Senate career. The 
nomination that was read individually was my college roommate. I roomed 
with him for 3 years at George Washington University where he was 
striving to become a career Ambassador for the United States of 
America. I watched him work and struggle and exceed all expectations. 
He is extremely brilliant and has been able to get the kind of career 
that he wanted.
  I thank the Senator from Wyoming, who is presiding, for the rapid 
action that he took to have the hearing held on this nomination.
  I thank the Senator from North Carolina, Mr. Helms, for the 
expeditious work that he did with the full committee to get this name 
brought before the Senate.
  We have a truly dedicated career officer who will be serving us in 
Australia. I know him very well. I canoed with him in the swamps of 
Georgia.
  I watched his career and his travels. Most of my travels around the 
world have been through his eyes, as he has been located in different 
positions beginning with Katmandu, Nepal.
  I think we owe a lot of thanks not only to him but to his family, and 
his wife Peggy, who has gone with him on these travels. They served 
well as ambassadors for our country.
  When he had a break, he came back to the United States and served in 
the State Department. I was often able to see him in Washington. I 
watched him as he was liaison for the Defense Department, liaison for 
the State Department with Senator Kennedy, and in a number of other 
positions.
  He and I have daughters who are the same age. We have sons who are 
the same age. His son, Ed, is married to the daughter of the couple who 
introduced my wife and I. How did a Wyoming girl meet somebody out 
here? They met at my swearing-in ceremony. The two dads were part of my 
wedding. And I was there to see their children's marriages in Wyoming.
  Skip is a fraternity brother of mine and is actually the only brother 
that I have.
  With this action taken today, the United States will be well served 
in Australia. This is the correct action, the best action, and this is 
the best representation we can get.
  I thank all of my colleagues for their support in getting this 
important nomination approved.

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