[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1] [Senate] [Pages 149-158] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the nominations of Donald H. Rumsfeld to be Secretary of Defense, Colin L. Powell to be Secretary of State, Paul H. O'Neill to be Secretary of the Treasury, Ann Veneman to be Secretary of Agriculture, Donald L. Evans to be Secretary of Commerce, Rod Paige to be Secretary of Education, and Spencer Abraham to be Secretary of Energy. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. ROBERTS. I further ask unanimous consent, Mr. President, that the nominations be considered en bloc and disposed of en bloc, that each nomination be considered separately in the Record, and following the confirmations the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, that the President be immediately notified that the Senate has given its consent to these nominations, and the Senate then return to legislative session. Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object, Mr. President, I wish the Record to reflect that with regard to the nomination of Spencer Abraham to be Secretary of Energy, I am voting in the negative. I appreciate the fact that we need a Secretary of Energy immediately because of the dire energy crisis in the State of California. My objection to Secretary designee Abraham's nomination is based on the troubling record Mr. [[Page 150]] Abraham has established on nuclear waste. This objection is based on a difference of opinion over this matter. Indeed, I had the honor of serving in this body with Spencer Abraham in his capacity as a Senator from Michigan. I know him to be a decent and honorable man who served with distinction. As a Senator from Michigan, however, he voted repeatedly to ship nuclear waste to the State of Nevada despite the overwhelming evidence that such a move was being made without regard for sound science and public health and safety. He voted to ship nuclear waste to Nevada notwithstanding the fact that there is no safe route for the transportation of high level nuclear waste through the states and cities and towns of America. He supported an industry backed bill that would have expedited delivery of nuclear waste to Nevada on an ``interim'' basis. He even supported overriding President Clinton's veto of a bill which would have greatly weakened the EPA's role in establishing the appropriate radiation standards at Yucca Mountain. The decision on the designation of a permanent nuclear waste repository rests with the Secretary of Energy. This decision, and others relating to Yucca Mountain, must be made absent bias. Regrettably, Secretary designee Abraham's record as a Senator and his testimony before the Energy Committee as a nominee lead me to believe that he may not be capable of such impartiality on this very important issue. I withdraw my reservation. Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to give my strongest recommendation for the confirmation of the nomination of Donald H. Rumsfeld to be Secretary of Defense. On December 28, 2000, then President-elect Bush announced his intention to nominate former-Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, a man I have known for more than 20 years, to be his Secretary of Defense. I support this nomination, and I am pleased that the President decided to recommend him for this important position. Don Rumsfeld served as Secretary of Defense for President Ford from 1975 to 1977. I am confident that he will, once again, be a competent, trustworthy, effective Secretary of Defense. He has the experience, knowledge, skill and ability to oversee the best--the largest--military force in the world. His challenge will be to prepare that force for missions in the ever-growing, increasingly complex threat environment of the 21st century. He must ``jump start'' the pace of transition from cold war thinking to new thinking. Don Rumsfeld has been extremely successful in the business world in the years since he last served as Secretary of Defense. He has served as the chief executive officer of G.D. Searle and Company, a worldwide pharmaceutical company, and as chairman and chief executive officer of General Instrument Corporation, a leader in broadband and digital, high-definition television technology. While leading these major private-sector businesses, he continued his public service by serving in a variety of Federal posts and as a member of several commissions. Many Senators are familiar with the excellent work Secretary Rumsfeld has done on both the Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States, which issued its report in 1998, and the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization, which issued its report on January 11, 2001. President Bush has articulated a vision for the U.S. military and has set three broad goals for national defense: first, to renew the bond of trust between the President and the military; second, to defend the American people against missiles and terror; and third, to begin creating the military of the next century. I know that Don Rumsfeld is committed to these goals as well. In a speech at the Citadel in September 1999, then-Governor Bush said, ``Those who want to lead America accept two obligations. One is to use our military power wisely, remembering the costs of war. The other is to honor our commitments to veterans who have paid those costs.'' I doubt that any Member of the Senate would take exception with those obligations. Don Rumsfeld will certainly accept these obligations with enthusiasm. Public service is a demanding vocation for the family as well as the nominee. I want to express my personal appreciation to Mrs. Joyce Rumsfeld for rededicating herself to public service as well. The Nation will never fully appreciate the sacrifices spouses, such as Joyce Rumsfeld, make supporting those who serve our country. Mr. President, I want to commend my friend and colleague, Senator Levin, for the manner in which, as the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, he dealt with this nomination. Chairman Levin and I worked together very closely as the committee considered the nomination in a deliberate and timely manner. I support this nomination. I urge my colleagues to support the nomination as well. Secretary Rumsfeld will be a crucial part of the great national security team that President Bush has assembled. The nominations were considered and confirmed, as follows: Department of Agriculture Ann Margaret Veneman, of California, to be Secretary of Agriculture. Department of Defense Donald Henry Rumsfeld, of Illinois, to be Secretary of Defense. Department of Commerce Donald Louis Evans, of Texas, to be Secretary of Commerce. Department of Energy Spencer Abraham, of Michigan, to be Secretary of Energy. Department of the Treasury Paul Henry O'Neill, of Pennsylvania, to be Secretary of the Treasury. Department of State Colin Luther Powell, of Virginia, to be Secretary of State. Department of Education Roderick R. Paige, of Texas, to be Secretary of Education. nominations Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I said on January 3 that I intended to savor every one of the next 17 days. And I am pleased to tell you, I did. In fact, I called my office this morning just to hear the receptionist say--one last time--``Majority Leader's Office.'' I did it again this morning. It was an honor to serve as majority leader of this Senate--even if only for 17 days. In the spirit of bipartisanship, I want to say to my friend, Senator Lott that if he every needs to take a day off--for any reason--I'll be happy to fill in for him. I also want to thank my fellow Democratic Senators--particularly our committee chairs. It's been a while since a Democratic Senator had banged a chairman's gavel around here. But you never would have known it to see them in action. One measure of their dedication is the fact that we are here today to confirm the first seven of President Bush's Cabinet nominees. Every other Cabinet nominee has gotten, or is getting, a fair hearing. Something else happened during these last 17 days: We reached a historic agreement to share responsibility in America's first-ever 50/ 50 Senate. I want to thank Senator Lott again, and commend him for having the faith and the courage to do the right and fair thing. Today, I hand the title of Majority Leader back to him. And that's just fine. As Thomas Jefferson said: ``I like the dream of the future better than the history of the past.'' Today, as President Bush begins his Presidency, we wish him well. We want to work with him to make a better future--for all Americans. To the cynics who say that's not possible, let me point out seven reasons for hope: Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul O'Neill, Don Evans, Spence Abraham, Ann Veneman, and Rod Paige. I'd like to say a few words about each of these extraordinary men and women. Colin Powell: I told Colin Powell earlier this week that he has lots of admirers on both sides of the aisle here, and I consider myself one of the biggest. America is [[Page 151]] fortunate to have him as our ambassador to the world. General Powell has spent his entire adult life serving this nation. He started in the Army as a second lieutenant in June 1958 and spent the next 35 years as a professional soldier. He eventually rose to become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff--the highest military assignment at the Pentagon--and National Security Adviser to President Reagan. He received many awards, including: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Soldier's Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. In 1993, General Powell retired from the Army and found a new way to serve his country: as chairman of America's Promise--The Alliance for Youth. The world has changed dramatically since Colin Powell first put on an Army uniform. I was reminded of that again a few days ago when I read a newspaper article about police officer in Sioux Falls by the name of Greg Schmit. Officer Schmit and 10 other police officers throughout America recently returned from Russia. They went to Russia as part of a State Department program to train Russian police in Western policing methods. They didn't go out of some misguided idealism. They went because it is in America's national security interest to help foster the rule of law and a professional police force in Russia. I mention this because I believe there are parallels between what Officer Schmit and his colleagues did, and what Secretary Powell can, and must, do as Secretary of State. The threats to world peace are different today than when Colin Powell first joined the Army--but they are no less dangerous. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has turned what used to be regional conflicts into potential global catastrophies. New technologies and more open societies have enabled drug traffickers and other criminals to expand their activities--threatening American citizens and democratic advances worldwide. Abandoning our responsibilities as a world leader will not protect us from the threats in today's world. But it would deprive us of the benefits. We must not fall for the false security of isolationism. We must remain engaged in the world. Protecting America's interests and promoting the causes of peace and democracy throughout the world will require a team effort. I can think of no one better-suited to head that team than Colin Powell. Donald Rumsfeld: Joining Secretary Powell on that team is an outstanding leader who has also had a long and distinguished career inside and outside of government: Donald Rumsfeld. As Secretary of Defense, Don Rumsfeld will lead 1.5 million active duty personnel, nearly 1 million reserve personnel and more than 800,000 full-time civilian employees. And he will encounter new and unconventional threats that defy conventional solutions. Clearly, these are daunting challenges. But Don Rumsfeld is well- qualified to meet them. A graduate of Princeton University, he served three years as a U.S. Navy aviator before being elected in 1962--at the age of 30--to the House of Representatives. In 1969, he resigned from Congress to work for President Nixon, and stayed to work for President Ford. In 1975 he was confirmed by the Senate to serve as our 13th and youngest Secretary of Defense. Two years later, he began a 20-year career in the private sector. But he continued to answer the call of public duty, serving as President Reagan's Special Envoy for the Middle East and chairman of the Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States. I look forward to working with both Secretary Powell and Secretary Rumsfeld. There are five areas in particular where I hope we can build bipartisan support: First: In recent years, the U.S. has worked with NATO to end ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia and restore stability to southeastern Europe. In East Asia, we worked with our Korean and Japanese allies to diminish North Korea's nuclear threat and come within striking distance of an agreement to halt that country's missile program. We must not threaten these and other critical alliances by rushing to disengage from successful efforts in the Balkans and elsewhere. Second: We must also avoid threatening our friends--and our enemies-- unnecessarily by rushing too quickly to deploy a national missile defense. President Bush has said he is committed to deploying such a system, and Secretaries Powell and Rumsfeld also have expressed support for it. Let me be clear: Democrats also support ballistic missile defense system--as long as it meets four essential criteria. It must be affordable and effective, it must meet the threat, and it must not damage relations with our allies. In short, it must make us more secure, not less. Third: We want to work with Secretaries Powell and Rumsfeld, and with President Bush, to build bipartisan support for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. I will not dwell here on the lengths to which CTBT opponents went in the last Congress to tilt the playing field--both procedurally and substantively. Suffice it to say that this important treaty did not get the fair and full hearing it should have, and the Senate failed to ratify it. General John Shalikashvili, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said recently: ``(t)he advantages of the Test Ban Treaty outweigh any disadvantages, and thus . . . ratification would increase national security.'' I hope the Bush administration will pay close attention. Fourth: We must maintain our support for efforts to control the spread of weapons of mass destruction, such as the Cooperative Threat Reduction program--better known as ``the Nunn-Lugar program.'' This program enables us to work with Russia to reduce its nuclear arsenal. It has led to the destruction of thousands of Russian nuclear weapons and weapons platforms. It has also resulted in tighter security at Russian nuclear weapons development and production facilities. It is hard to imagine a better investment in our national security. We must maintain it. Fifth: Our diplomatic corps will always be our first line of defense. We must make sure it has the resources it needs to do its job well. At the same time, we must make it clear to our friends and our enemies alike that, if America's values and interests are threatened, and if diplomacy fails, we will use force. We must maintain America's role as a global leader. Paul O'Neill: To do that, we must maintain our fiscal discipline. Paul O'Neill, our next Secretary of the Treasury, understands that. Like Secretaries Powell and Rumsfeld, he comes to his post with a long and impressive record of achievement in both the private and public sectors. He has been a tremendously successful CEO of a major American corporation, Alcoa, which operates worldwide and has thrived in the global economy under his leadership. He has earned the respect of Wall Street--and Alcoa employees. George Becker is president of the Steelworkers Union. Listen to what he had to say about Paul O'Neill--quote: ``Most of our relationships with employers are confrontational by nature. but we found that Paul had very keen interest on the side of working people.'' His predecessors in the current Administration--Lloyd Bentsen, Bob Rubin, and Larry Summers--played critical roles in restoring the fiscal strength of the United States and in responding to financial crises around the globe. As a result--in significant measure--of their insight and actions, the new Treasury Secretary will inherit a remarkably strong fiscal situation. [[Page 152]] In his new office, I hope Secretary O'Neill will remember how hobbled our economy was a decade ago, and how hard Americans worked to put our economy back on sound financial footing. I also hope he will look to the future. In less than a decade, the first Baby Boomers will retire. We want to work with Secretary O'Neill, President Bush, and our Republican colleagues to prepare for the Baby Boomers' retirement now, while we still have the time, so we can avoid a crisis down the road. We can afford to cut taxes. We can afford to provide to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare. But we must not go too far. We cannot afford to return to fiscal irresponsibility and weakness. There's a better way. Together, we can find it. Don Evans: Maintaining fiscal discipline is the key to keeping our economy strong. We must also continue to help American businesses and entrepreneurs grow and create new jobs, and continue to seek out new markets for American good and services--at home and abroad. That will be the job of President Bush's new Commerce Secretary. And he is well-prepared to take it on. Mr. Evans understands that we live in a global economy, and that erecting trade barriers between countries is the wrong approach. As someone from a rural state, I particularly appreciate his commitment to promote access to the newest technologies in rural America. We are ready to work with Secretary Evans on all of these priorities. We also want to work with him to keep politics out of the census, so that we can get an accurate count of America's population. Spencer Abraham: These last couple of weeks have provided dramatic reminders of how essential affordable, reliable energy supplies are to our nation. In California, rolling energy blackouts have forced temporary shutdowns of Silicon Valley computer giants, and turned off traffic lights at the height of rush-hour. In South Dakota and many other states, soaring oil and natural gas prices are making it harder for families to heat their homes, and eating into business profits. As Secretary of Energy, Spence Abraham is the person to whom America will look for solutions to our nation's pressing energy needs. He is also the person most responsible for ensuring the safety and security of our nation's nuclear stockpile, storing and cleaning up nuclear waste, and overseeing critical research at our national energy labs. I am confident that Secretary Abraham is ready for these difficult tasks. He showed during his six years in the Senate that he is willing to work in a bipartisan fashion. I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new capacity. I am especially interested in working with him to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and ethanol, and providing incentives for improved energy efficiency. By using our resources wisely, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and ensure the stability of our economy. Ann Veneman: The Department of Agriculture is charge with the oversight of a wide range of policy areas--from commodity programs and trade to food safety, from natural resources and forestry management to nutrition programs. I am confident that Ann Veneman has the breadth of experience and knowledge to ensure Americans are very well served in all of these areas. Ms. Veneman has a long history of public service. In 1991, Agriculture Secretary Madigan tapped her to be Deputy Secretary at USDA. She was the first women ever to be appointed to that position. But what people know her for was her significant contributions to the GATT Uruguay round negotiations on agriculture, from which we continue to benefit. In 1995, Governor Wilson appointed her to be Secretary of Agriculture in California. She was the first woman to serve as Agriculture Secretary in California. While there, she pursued a strong and varied agenda that included opening new markets for trade and making significant improvements in California's food safety system. With this nomination, Ms. Veneman will be the first woman United States Secretary of Agriculture. She brings considerable strengths to this post, and we are confident that we will take major strides in farm policy with her at the helm. Roderick Paige: Finally, I want to commend President Bus for choosing Dr. Roderick Paige as his Secretary of Education. As superintendent of the Houston Independent School District and before that, as a member of Houston's school board, Dr. Paige has shown that he believes every child deserves an opportunity to attend a good public school. During his nearly seven years as superintendent, Houston saw significant gains in the numbers of 10th graders passing Texas' basic skills test--especially among minority students. Dr. Paige understands from personal experience the many challenges facing America's public schools, the men and women who work in them, and the children who depend on them. He has earned the support and admiration of a wide variety of education professionals. He has earned this nomination. I look forward to working closely with him to help President Bush fulfill his pledge to leave no child behind. Again, I commend President Bush for sending us seven such strong nominees. I urge my colleagues to support all of them. And I look forward to working with each of them to make that dream of a better future, that Thomas Jefferson wrote about, a reality. nomination of colin powell Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President I rise today to offer my unequivocal support for the nomination of General Colin Powell as our Secretary of State. Colin Powell's experience as a soldier, a public servant, and a civilian leader will serve him well in overcoming the challenges ahead. Americans should know that we could not ask for any person with better preparation, more knowledge, or greater skills to take the helm of U.S. foreign policy and its diplomatic corps at this time in our history. As a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell fully understands the role of the military in the implementation of foreign policy. He also understands that a powerful military can be eroded through misuse. The use of force should be the last resort, not the first best solution to failed diplomacy. As General Powell stated in his testimony before the Foreign Relations Committee, the United States' challenge is one of leadership. U.S. power--military, economic, and diplomatic--is unparalleled. We must use such power judiciously. And we must apply the appropriate type of power in the right situations to shape a more peaceful and prosperous world. But first we must know and clearly define our objectives. President Bush stated that U.S. foreign policy was ``like a cork in a current being swept from crisis to crisis. I believe this image accurately depicts the struggle over the last several years with the lack of a clearly formulated and executed foreign policy. Many recognize, and General Powell addressed this also in his testimony, that the world we live in has radically changed in the last decade. We no longer face an ideological foe. We no longer live with the threat of annihilation from Soviet nuclear forces. But the world today is not peaceful. The end of the Cold War stalemate unleashed forces of change. These forces of change couple with unprecedented technological advances have fundamentally altered the global landscape. The threats we face are diffuse, and many tools of the Cold War era prove insufficient in countering these new threats. These new challenges--from cyber-terrorism to AIDS in Africa to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction--will require new approaches and [[Page 153]] better coordination between our federal agencies. The Bush Administration is bringing together the most talented and experienced Cabinet in recent years to tackle these problems. Colin Powell brings the leadership skills and commands the respect necessary to initiate needed changes, renew our diplomatic corps, clearly define our national interests and implement policies to achieve U.S. objectives. I look forward to working with Secretary Powell in my role as Chairman of the Budget Committee to give him the means necessary to address the State Department's needs. Mr. President, in closing I would like to thank General Powell for his willingness to, once again, serve the American people. Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to add my enthusiastic support for the nomination of Colin L. Powell to be the next United States Secretary of State--a view that I believe is unanimous in this body. The reasons are obvious. General Powell is a distinguished American who will bring credit to the Bush administration and our country over the next four years. He is without doubt extremely well qualified by experience and temperament to represent our nation as its chief diplomat and foreign policy spokesman. I know a number of my colleagues have already gone on at length about the distinguished record of public service that General Powell has performed during his thirty-five years of military service before retiring, in 1993, from his post as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In the interest of time, I will simply associate myself with their remarks in noting that General Powell's record of public service is truly impressive. I would point out, however that the various positions he has held over the years have prepared him well to assume his new responsibilities as Secretary of State. And, as if his years of public service were not enough, General Powell continued to serve his country and community in ``retirement.'' He agreed to chair President Clinton's Summit for America's Future in 1997 and founded and chaired America's Promise--The Alliance for Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the character and competence of America's young people. General Powell's efforts to raise the profile of such an important issue, one that goes to the very fabric of our society, have clearly begun to bear fruit. As a Senator with a particular interest in the welfare of our children, I hope that America's Promise will continue its important work now that General Powell has a new ``day job.'' General Powell has now agreed to take on yet another assignment for the American people, this time as our country's chief diplomat and international spokesman. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do a superb job as Secretary of State. While some of President Bush's recent appointments have provoked controversy, the Rumsfeld/Powell--Defense/ Foreign Policy team has strong bipartisan support in Congress and has been welcomed by the American people. I want to commend President Bush for his wise choice in asking General Powell to join his administration, and I want to personally thank General Powell for his willingness to once again answer the call of public service to his country. No one would have begrudged him had he said, ``thanks but no thanks.'' His commitment and service to our country is truly extraordinary. Let me also say for the record that General Powell's recent predecessors, Madeleine Albright and Warren Christopher have also distinguished themselves during their tenures and have left the world a better place for their efforts. I want to thank them for their service to our country and wish them well in their future endeavors. On Thursday, I had the privilege of questioning General Powell at his nomination hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee. While we did not agree on every topic discussed, it was clear to me that General Powell has taken his nomination seriously and has educated himself on all aspects of foreign policy. He listened to every question attentively and answered every query thoughtfully. I was heartened in particular by the high priority he has placed on ensuring that adequate resources are made available to the State Department to make it possible for our diplomatic responsibilities to be effectively discharged around the world. In his prepared statement. General Powell also outlined his view of the world and emphasized that the United States cannot suddenly isolate itself from the global community. Moreover, he reiterated the necessity of the United States remaining engaged internationally in order to build upon the successes of previous administrations. I took the opportunity to question General Powell at length on issues of special concern to me. He pledged to continue to monitor the Irish and Middle East peace processes, and while I know we have a difference of opinion on this issue, he did not reject outright the idea of an International Criminal Court, although he made clear his concerns with the treaty as currently drafted. Furthermore, I was extremely pleased to hear that President Bush has pledged to take a more active role in foreign policy with respect to strengthening our relations with countries in our own hemisphere. Many of my colleagues know of my interest in this region. I had numerous questions for General Powell on a wide range of topics of interest in Latin America--Mexico, Plan Colombia, our complex relationship with Cuba, the political chaos in Peru, and how best to spur democratization in Haiti. While we did not discuss any of these topics in great depth, it was clear to me that General Powell has a clear grasp of the problems extant in this region of the world, and I look forward to working with him over the next four years on issues of mutual concern. General Powell demonstrated a willingness to listen to Senators thoughts and concerns over the six hours that his hearing lasted. Such an attitude can only serve to forge a strong and productive relationship between the State Department and the Senate. At the end of the day, dialogue between the Secretary and the Congress will ensure that the United States foreign policy agenda has strong bipartisan support here at home. U.S. foreign policy and national security interests will be best served if this proves to be so. If anyone can foster a spirit of bipartisanship in foreign policy, I believe that General Powell can. I look forward to working with him on issues of mutual interest and concern, and urge my colleagues to support his nomination. nomination of donald h. rumsfeld Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I support the nomination of Donald Rumsfeld to be Secretary of Defense, and I urge my colleagues to support this nomination. It is important for the Senate confirm Mr. Rumsfeld today, the first day of the new administration, so that the new Secretary of Defense can assume his position in the chain of command of our armed forces. Mr. Rumsfeld is well qualified to serve as Secretary of Defense. He has a distinguished record of public service, and in fact served as Secretary of Defense in the last 14 months of President Ford's administration. Since then, he has led several large private sector companies, while still remaining active in national security policy issues. Most recently, he served as Chairman of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Threat Commission and the Commission to Assess the United States National Security Space Management and Organization. President Bush announced his intent to nominate Mr. Rumsfeld to be Secretary of Defense on December 28. Since then, the Armed Services Committee has conducted the same thorough review of this nomination that we apply to every nomination that comes before the committee. The nominee has submitted the required paperwork to the committee, met applicable financial disclosure requirements, and pledged to comply with the conflict of interest standards of the executive branch and the committee. Mr. Rumsfeld has completed the detailed Armed Services Committee questionnaire that we require of all nominees. He has also responded in writing to an extensive series of policy questions which were circulated to all members of the committee and released to the public. [[Page 154]] On February 11, the committee conducted a lengthy hearing with the nominee. A number of members of the committee submitted additional questions in writing to the nominee at the end of the confirmation hearing, and Mr. Rumsfeld has responded to all of those questions. Finally, Senator Warner and I have reviewed the summary of the FBI background investigation of Mr. Rumsfeld. Yesterday, the Armed Services Committee met and voted unanimously to recommend that the full Senate give its advice and consent to this nomination. I ask unanimous consent that a memo that Senator Warner and I sent to Senator Daschle and Senator Lott informing them of the committee's action be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks. The PRESIDENT pro tempore: Without objection it is so ordered. (See exhibit 1.) Mr. LEVIN. As Secretary of Defense, Mr. Rumsfeld will inherit the most dominant military force in the history of the world. Over the last two decades, our military has incorporated a series of technological improvements that have revolutionized their military capability--from precision-guided munitions and stealth technology to satellite reconnaissance and electronic warfare capabilities. Today, each of our military services is more lethal, more maneuverable, more versatile and has greater situational awareness on the battlefield than at any time in our history. But this is not a time for us to rest on our past accomplishments. The next administration and the Congress must work together to make sure our military is prepared to deal with the new threats to our security--particularly the terrorist threat--with new technologies, more mobile forces and improved intelligence capabilities. It is also essential that we devote a great deal of energy to combating what I believe is the greatest single threat to our security in the future-- the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Mr. President, Donald Rumsfeld has a strong commitment to the national security of our country and to the well-being of the men and women of our armed forces and their families. He is well-qualified to lead the Department of Defense. I look forward to working with him in his new position, and I urge the Senate to confirm his nomination. Exhibit 1 U.S. Senate, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC, January 19, 2001. Memorandum to: Senator Daschle and Senator Lott. From: Senator Levin and Senator Warner. Subject: Nomination of Donald H. Rumsfeld to be Secretary of Defense. On December 28, 2000, President-elect Bush announced his intention to nominate Donald H. Rumsfeld to be Secretary of Defense. On January 3, 2001, the Committee on Armed Services forwarded the Committee's nomination questionnaire to Secretary-designate Rumsfeld. The Committee requires each nominee to complete a questionnaire relating to the nominee's qualifications and potential conflicts of interest. Mr. Rumsfeld's responses to the questionnaire provided basic biographical and financial information. Pursuant to its normal practice, on January 3, 2001, the Committee submitted a number of advance policy questions to the nominee. Secretary-designate Rumsfeld provided his responses to these questions on January 9, 2001. The questions and Secretary-designate Rumsfeld's responses were made a part of the record of the Committee's nomination hearing. In anticipation of the nomination, the Committee conducted a hearing on January 11, 2001, in public session, to carefully review the credentials of Secretary-designate Rumsfeld. Secretary-designate Rumsfeld was the only witness at this hearing. As part of the confirmation process, the Committee received the nominee's Public Financial Disclosure Report and appended ethics agreement, as well as letters on conflict of interest and related matters from the Director of the Office of Government Ethics and the General Counsel of the Department of Defense. Based on this information, the Committee concludes that the nominee has agreed, upon appointment, to initiate the necessary actions to comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding conflict of interest. The Committee on Armed Services found Donald H. Rumsfeld to be highly qualified for the position of Secretary of Defense. In an Executive Session on January 19, 2001, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend the Senate provide its advice and consent to the nomination of Mr. Rumsfeld. John Warner, Ranking Member. Carl Levin, Chairman. Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my support to the nomination of Donald Rumsfeld as our Secretary of Defense. He will bring unparalleled experience, tremendous knowledge, and tactics of no fear to a daunting task. Let me briefly describe his task: As Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld will be charged with leading the world's most powerful military. The U.S. military is the most technologically advanced and best trained in the world. Today, no other nation would take us on head-to-head. But this is also a military machine that suffered years of neglect and misuse. Donald Rumsfeld will take charge after the peace dividend has long expired. The motto of doing ``more with less'' is no longer feasible. The fabric of our military forces is stretched so thin as to begin unraveling. While U.S. forces have continued to shrink in size, increased deployments and the corresponding operational tempo has eaten away at moral. Plummeting retention and recruitment appears to have been arrested for the time being, but without acknowledging this situation and turning the tide, our military might will wither. In 1975 Donald Rumsfeld had only 14 months to turn the tide before Jimmy Carter took the election in 1976. In reviewing his achievements in that short period, I believe the next four years hold great promise. I would also like to mention some of Donald Rumsfeld's most recent contributions to important national security issues. The Rumsfeld Commission's report in the summer of 1999 underscored the heightened threat and accelerated pace of missile programs in nations hostile to the United States. Within a month of the Report's release, North Korea proved Rumsfeld right. Donald Rumsfeld also headed the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization. The unanimous report of the Commission was released on January 11--just nine days ago. The Commission's findings will help inform and guide our national space policy in the coming years. On a more parochial note, Donald Rumsfeld also has a working cattle ranch in northern New Mexico. He and his wife, Joyce, spend many months a year there. He is known and admired by many in the local community. Knowing the beauty of El Prado as I do, I must say that he is sacrificing a great deal to take this job. But knowing Donald Rumsfeld also as I do, he's never shirked in performing his duty to this great nation. Donald Rumsfeld brings the necessary experience, leadership ability, and esteem to initiate needed changes, reinvigorate our military forces, and prepare them for the 21st century. As chairman of the Budget Committee and a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with Secretary Rumsfeld in meeting these challenges. Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I am pleased to have the opportunity on this historic inauguration day to rise in strong support of the Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, President Bush's nominee for Secretary of Defense. In my judgment, Secretary Rumsfeld is eminently qualified for the post, a position he previously held some 25 years ago, and the decisive action I believe will be taken on the Senate floor today is a clear indication of the strong bipartisan support he has rightfully earned. Secretary Rumsfeld has long been a prominent and positive figure in American public life. Most recently, he chaired the U.S. Ballistic Missile Threat Commission and served as a member of the U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission, positions that both inform his understanding and expertise, and demonstrate his diverse broad-ranging talents. A former naval aviator, Mr. Rumsfeld ably represented the people of Illinois in the House of Representatives for four terms before [[Page 155]] joining President Nixon's Cabinet in 1969. He faithfully served this country in a number of capacities, including United States Ambassador to NATO, White House Chief of Staff and, as I noted, the 13th Secretary of Defense under President Ford from 1975 through 1977. The Pentagon Mr. Rumsfeld presided over in the 1970s was very different from the one he will inherit today. Then, the world was divided by cold war and our nation was divided by the Vietnam war. Stung by the lessons of Vietnam, the efficacy of our military was in question. Today, the United States stands as the fortress of democracy and a compassionate champion of peace and freedom in an evolving global environment. Our military is the best equipped, the best trained and the most capable fighting force in the world. The difference between the two eras is profound, but let there be no question: this Secretary of Defense is the right person for today and the days to come. We face the world with strength and confidence, ever mindful of the challenges ahead. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the threat of cyber-terrorism, the potential vulnerability of our space- based assets, and the future of theater-wide and global missile defense are among our present and future challenges that will require innovative solutions. The health and well-being of our troops and their families, and our ability to train and retain the brightest and most talented personnel are persistent concerns that deserve close attention. Our commitment to maintaining a technological advantage on the battlefield and equipping our troops with the most advanced, reliable, and effective weaponry available must never waver. And we must achieve these objectives while providing the Navy with the resources to carry out its expanding and accelerating mission, transforming the Army into a more lethal and mobile force, building the Air Force's next generation air-superiority fighter and air-lift capacity, and maintaining the budgetary responsibility that has yielded America's strongest fiscal footing in a generation. At this moment of transition, I would also like to commend the outgoing Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, on a job well done. He was called ``the right person to secure the bipartisan support America's armed forces must have and clearly deserve,'' by President Clinton in 1997, and I believe his record of service confirms those remarks. Secretary Cohen focused on force modernization and troop readiness, and he made improving conditions for the fighting men and women of this nation the touchstone of his tenure. Secretary Rumsfeld will have a difficult act to follow. The challenges ahead are many. The course laid out by President Bush is neither quickly achieved nor easily traversed, but it gives me confidence to know that Donald Rumsfeld has answered the call to serve this nation once more. I would also like to express my appreciation to his wife, Joyce, and the Rumsfeld family for the countless sacrifices they will make in course of his term. In Secretary Rumsfeld, we have found the right person for the job. I look forward to working with him. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I had the honor of introducing my distinguished colleague from the Land of Lincoln, Donald Rumsfeld, to the Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing just a little over a week ago. I know that Presidents have often complained about the Senate confirmation process. Herbert Hoover, upon the birth of his granddaughter, said ``Thank God she doesn't have to be confirmed by the Senate.'' Donald Rumsfeld has so much experience, I am sure he will secure even more votes for his confirmation today than President Hoover's granddaughter would have if she had required the Senate's blessing. Don Rumsfeld's resume is impressive: 4-term Congressman from Illinois, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, US Ambassador to NATO, White House Chief of Staff, the youngest-ever Secretary of Defense, CEO of several major companies, and a Special Envoy for President Reagan. We've heard a lot about bipartisanship lately. When Donald Rumsfeld represented Illinois in the House of Representatives, it was before Supreme Court cases that applied the one-person one-vote standard to the drawing of congressional districts. His district was enormous; he represented 1.1 million people, whereas Sam Rayburn only represented 89,000. In the Congress that followed his departure to serve in the Nixon administration, his district was split into two, with one district represented by a conservative Republican and one by a liberal Democrat. His ability to serve such a diverse district speaks well of his ability to bridge a Congress and a country almost equally divided. While all Senators may not agree with Mr. Rumsfeld on every issue, he has earned our respect. I may disagree with him on the deployment of a national missile defense system, depending on the plan he supports. I certainly disagree with him about the importance of continuing to adhere to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. I believe the treaty remains the cornerstone of strategic stability, where he dismisses it as ``ancient history.'' However, I am certain that he will conduct a thorough and fair review of these issues as Secretary of Defense. It is my hope that we can keep the lines of communication open on these and other important defense issues as we address them in the Senate. In fact, Senators may be reluctant to ``go to the mat'' with Mr. Rumsfeld. Not only was he captain of Princeton University's wrestling team and All Navy Wrestling Champion, he was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. He joins Speaker Hastert as another famous wrestler who hails from Illinois. I, for one, plan to keep in mind that wrestling depends on strategy and making the right move at the right time as much as it does on strength and power. Some of his critics have complained that Mr. Rumsfeld's experience with defense issues is from the bygone cold war era. Those critics ignore Mr. Rumsfeld's valuable contributions chairing several commissions, including the Ballistic Missile Threat Commission, and underestimate the value of his experience managing major corporations in this new economy. Mr. Rumsfeld has kept up and I would challenge his critics to try to keep up with him. In 1775, in our revolutionary era, Patrick Henry said: ``I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past.'' It is only because the United States was so steadfast in fighting for freedom and democracy that the world enjoys an unprecedented era of freedom and prosperity today. Mr. President, Mr. Rumsfeld carries the lamp of experience. I wish him, for our country's sake, every success as he travels by its light. It is with pride that I cast my vote to support the nomination of one of Illinois' favorite and most distinguished sons. NOMINATION OF RODERICK PAIGE Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, all of us are pleased that the nominee for Secretary of Education, Dr. Roderick Paige, will be confirmed with unanimous bipartisan support. I'm optimistic that his bipartisan confirmation will set a high standard for bipartisan cooperation on education in the coming years. The issue is of profound importance for the future of our country. Education is a continuum that begins at birth and continues through college and in the larger working society. States and communities are making significant progress in improving their public schools, and that is evident in the city of Houston under the leadership of Dr. Paige. But we know that more needs to be done. Public schools across the nation are facing ever greater challenges. This year, elementary and secondary schools confront record enrollments of 53 million students, and by all estimates, the number of school-age children will continue to increase steadily over the next decade and beyond. [[Page 156]] As schools and communities struggle to educate millions more children, they also face the difficult challenges of achieving higher standards of learning, and dealing with other problems such as overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of qualified teachers, increased safety concerns, and a lack of adequate after-school programs. Schools cannot face these challenges alone. They need the help of their communities, their States, and the Federal Government to provide the best possible opportunities for all children. We must invest in critical national priorities and target funds to the neediest students. That means investing in better teachers, smaller classes, safe and modern facilities, better after-school programs, and programs to help children obtain the literacy skills they need. And that literacy training needs to begin in the very early years, long before a child first walks through the schoolhouse door. As we increase support for proven effective reform in each of these areas, we must also increase accountability. At the same time, we can't afford to undermine the Federal investment in education by adopting block grants to States in ways that would undermine local control, reduce targeting to the neediest children, put too little emphasis on what works, or eliminate accountability for results. Above all, we must not undermine public schools through private school vouchers. Block grants and vouchers have not been proven effective. They are divisive issues that lead to needless partisan conflict. Genuine reform of public schools requires bipartisan consensus on targeted top priorities. At his confirmation hearing, Dr. Paige testified that if a strategy had been proven effective in helping to improve public schools and student achievement, he will consider it as a potential Federal investment. I hope that all of us in Congress hold ourselves to the same standard. We know what works to help children do well in school. We need to do more to help schools implement these strategies. When President Bush submits the details of his education proposals, I am hopeful that we will find many areas of strong bipartisan agreement on reforms such as increased accountability, better targeting of resources to the neediest students, placing a qualified teacher in every classroom, improving children's reading skills, making each school a safe learning environment for students and teachers, and ensuring that all children with disabilities get a good education too. We can also strengthen our commitment to make college affordable for every qualified student in America. With over 15 million students enrolled in higher education today, we must continue to invest in student loans, and ensure that students continue to obtain the low cost loans they deserve. But for the neediest students, loans are often not enough. The prospect of a mountain of debt is often impossibly intimidating. We need to focus on grants as well as loans, so that we can open the doors of college to millions more students. In 1980, the proportion of grants to loans in Federal college aid was 60-40. But today, it is jut the reverse--40-60. Pell grants, supplemental educational opportunity grants, and campus-based aid offer students and institutions the flexibility they need to help every student make college a reality. But by shortchanging these grants, we are shortchanging students--and shortchanging America too. I am hopeful that we will continue to support college opportunity programs in the Nation's public schools--to make sure that all children can see college as a realistic possibility for their own future. We need to give more students the tools and the will to rise out of poverty, and to enter the workforce with the ability that comes from a good education. Dr. Paige has an impressive background to help the nation meet all these challenges. He currently serves as superintendent of the Houston Independent School District. He has often been credited for turning the Houston schools around and raising education standards in the city. He was also dean of the College of Education at South Texas University, and he knows first-hand what it takes to bring qualified teachers into every classroom. He comes from a family of educators who share a deep commitment to helping all children do well. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Paige and President Bush in the coming years to meet these high priorities. I congratulate Dr. Paige on his nomination, and I urge the Senate to support his confirmation. Mr. DODD. Mr. President. I rise to support the nomination of Dr. Roderick Paige as Secretary of Education. Education is ``the hub of the wheel'' of our society, founded as it is on the principle of equal opportunity. If we succeed in making our education system as good as it can be, there is no national priority that will not benefit. If we do not succeed, we leave things to change. So, I believe that Secretary of Education is one of the most, if not the most, important positions in the President's cabinet. Dr. Paige will succeed Secretary Riley, a remarkable man who has done a remarkable job promoting and improving education for eight years. I was happy to learn at Dr. Paige's hearing before the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee of his close friendship with Secretary Riley, and also was happy, though not surprised, to read in the Washington Post on January 19, that Secretary Riley welcomed President Bush's choice of Dr. Paige. Dr. Paige comes to the Department of Education with outstanding credentials. He has extensive experience in elementary, secondary, and higher education. From 1994 until his selection as Secretary, Dr. Paige served as Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District. Prior to that, he served as the Dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern University. In recognition of his work in Houston, Dr. Paige was the 2000 National Alliance of Black School Educators' national Superintendent of the Year and is the Texas Association of School Administrators' nominee for 2001 National Superintendent of the Year. In 1999, he was one of the Council of Great City Schools' two Outstanding Urban Educators. To me, what is equally as heartening as all of Dr. Paige's experience and awards is his background. His father was a principal, his mother was a teacher and librarian, and all three of his sisters are educators. I also come from a family of educators. Three of my aunts, my sister, and my brother have devoted decades of their lives to teaching. As Dr. Paige said at his hearing, the virtues of faith and hard work, love of country, and the importance of the American dream that his parents instilled in their five children gave him the confidence to graduate from a segregated high school, to pursue higher education, and to serve his country in the Navy. When a person grows up in that kind of environment, I know that his commitment to education is heartfelt and deep. Finally, Dr. Paige's experience and commitment to education showed in his statement and answers to questions at his hearing. I was impressed by the breadth of his knowledge and his ability to respond on the spot to such a wide range of questions on so many aspects of education policy. Of course, my great respect for Dr. Paige's integrity and dedication does not mean that I have no concerns about positions that he has taken during his distinguished career. For example, Dr. Paige supported the use of public funds to pay private school tuition in Huston and supported that at his hearing, as well. There are approximately 53 million children in elementary and secondary schools in the United States--approximately 48 million of those attend public schools. I think that voucher programs, although Dr. Paige chose not to use that term, divert much needed funds from our public schools. I also want to work with Dr. Paige to ensure that Federal funds continue to benefit low-income children. I don't question that most education decisions are and should be made at the State and local level, but excellence in education also is a national priority and the Federal government has a role to play. We provide only about seven percent of elementary and secondary school funding, but we [[Page 157]] play a very significant role in ensuring that groups that may have less of a voice in funding decisions, such as underprivileged students and their families, receive the resources they need, and I believe that we need to continue doing that. And I am concerned about President Bush's proposal to move Head Start from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Education and change the program's focus to reading. I'm not out to defend anyone's bureaucratic turf. I'm interested in helping low-income children and their families, not from which building in Washington the program is administered. Since 1965, Head Start programs have provided comprehensive early childhood development, educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services to more than 17 million low- income pre-school children and their families. Dr. Edward Zigler, one of Head Start's founders, said in the December 23, 2000 New York Times that the vast majority of three or four-year olds do not have the cognitive ability to ``attribute meaning to abstract symbols, like written words.'' He added that even the few three or four-year olds who do have that ability are better off spending their time in the Head Start learning behaviors needed in school, like listening, taking turns, and getting along with other children. Dr. Zigler said that what children need to be prepared to succeed in school are good health, the early involvement of their parents, and relief from the complications of poverty. That's exactly what Head Start provides. Of course, literacy is important, and Congress recognized that when we reauthorized Head Start in 1998--which we did in a very bipartisan manner. No one questions the importance of teaching children to read, but it's not as simple as providing more reading classes. A child won't benefit from reading classes alone is she hasn't eaten breakfast, or has an undiagnosed vision problem, or hasn't learned how to socialize with other children. Those kinds of benefits, which Head Start provides, are not ``add-ons'' to preparing a child to succeed in school, they are essential to it. As Dr. Zigler said, Head Start's job then, is to lay a foundation for literacy. So, I think we need to be cautious about changing a program that does so much good for so many children and families. But, that said, I have every confidence in Dr. Paige's qualifications and commitment to America's children. President Bush has spoken often of the need for bipartisanship in Washington. I have worked with many of my Republican colleagues for many years on education policy; for example, with Senator DeWine on the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, with Senator Domenici on character education, with Senator Jeffords on 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and with Senator Shelby on commercialism in schools. I hope and expect that Dr. Paige and the Senate will be able to work together to build on the education accomplishments of the past 8 years, and to work toward the goal that we all share--that our children receive the education they need and deserve. NOMINATION OF PAUL O'NEILL Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise to comment on the Senate's procedure for consideration of the nomination of Paul O'Neill for Secretary of the Treasury. Under regular order, the nomination for Secretary of the Treasury, which is under the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee would be considered by the committee after referral to the committee. The process usually involves a hearing and a vote on the nomination. In this case, a hearing in anticipation of the nomination was held. The nomination, however, was not fully considered by the committee. The committee agreed to be discharged only because of highly unusual circumstance. The circumstances arise from the fact that all Senate committees, including the Finance Committee, are not yet composed and organized. Moreover, the Secretary of the Treasury is a critical Cabinet position and expeditious consideration of the nomination is in the best interests of the Nation. Mr. President, I want to make it clear that the Finance Committee will insist on its jurisdictional prerogatives. This nomination presents a highly unusual and compelling procedural exception. Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to enthusiastically support the nomination of Mr. Paul Henry O'Neill to be the 72d Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. O'Neill is no stranger to policymaking, having served a number of years at the Office of Management and Budget. He has impressive credentials, both in and out of government, and an unchallenged reputation for hard work, straight talk and tough- mindedness. He is an extremely strong candidate and a very able individual. I am also pleased that the Senate will vote today to confirm his nomination. I believe it is important for our country to have a Treasury Secretary in place as the new administration takes over. The next administration will inherit the strongest economy in a generation, and the Treasury Department will face extraordinary challenges in keeping the economy going. Eight years ago, the nation's economic growth was low, interest rates and unemployment were high, and Federal budget deficit and national debt was growing at an unfathomable rate. Today, we have experienced the longest economic expansion in history, with record low unemployment, low interest rates, higher family incomes, and record budget surpluses. Inflation is in check, and we are beginning to pay down the national debt--something I know Mr. O'Neill has advocated. Putting the nation's fiscal house in order didn't happen overnight. Nor did it happen by chance--tough decisions were made and difficult votes taken. In light of this, I am concerned about how we handle the upcoming debate about the budget and taxes. We should proceed carefully, and make certain that our decisions do not put in jeopardy the accomplishments made over the past 8 years. In any event, with Mr. O'Neill, the President and the country have found the right person for the job. Mr. O'Neill has my support, and he has my vote. I look forward to working with Secretary O'Neill, and the new administration, to address the many challenges that lie ahead. Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, the American economy has changed dramatically in the past decade. International economic policy now has a direct effect on our domestic economy. The information age has transformed America's economic future. Budget surpluses now suggest the very real possibility of paying down the national debt. This new economy requires a new kind of Treasury secretary. It requires someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in both the domestic and the international marketplace. It requires someone who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in both government and private enterprise. Experience and leadership Paul O'Neill will bring these vital skills to the Department of Treasury. Paul O'Neill's outstanding career in both the public and private sectors has clearly demonstrated his ability to serve as our Nation's next Treasury Secretary. In 1967, he stated as a policy analyst for the Office of Management and Budget. However, his skill and intelligence were quickly noted by OMB Director George Shultz, who promoted him to serve as Associate Director with responsibility for social programs. At OMB, Paul O'Neill gained a reputation for his sharp analysis and his keen understanding of a wide variety of issues. In fact, he displayed such strong leadership and gained such respect from both parties that in 1976, President Jimmy Carter asked him to serve as his Deputy Treasury Secretary. However, Paul O'Neill decided to continue his career in the private sector. He went to work for the International Paper Company, a global paper corporation, of which he eventually became President. In 1987, he became the chairman and chief executive of the Alcoa Corporation, where he has worked since. Paul O'Neill's service to Alcoa is a shining symbol of his outstanding abilities. His vision and hard work transformed the troubled industrial company into a profitable international enterprise. As chief executive, [[Page 158]] he embraced new technologies and gave Alcoa the ability to prosper in the new economy, even as the national aluminum industry was facing economic troubles. Most importantly, Paul O'Neill demonstrated his leadership at Alcoa by garnering the respect and trust of his employees. In fact, the President of the Untied Steelworkers of America praised his nomination and called him ``a man you can trust and believe.'' I am certain that his integrity and leadership will earn Paul O'Neill the trust of the American people and of the world's economic leaders. In recent years, Paul O'Neill dedicated his time to leading several commissions on improving health care, education, and the local government of his hometown, Pittsburgh. Our nation will be fortunate to have a Treasury Secretary with such board and varied expertise, and these experiences will prove vital in leading a progressively diverse economy. I believe that Paul O'Neill will be an exemplary Treasury Secretary. He has already spoken of his dedication to paying down our national debt, fundamentally reforming the tax code, and ensuring that America's industries can compete in the new global economy. I am certain that his experience and leadership will be great assets in achieving these important goals. Mr. President, it is my great honor to support Paul O'Neill to head the Department of the Treasury. Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I would like to take a few brief moments to comment on the nomination of Paul O'Neill to be the Treasury Secretary of the United States. I first want to commend President Bush on choosing such a highly qualified candidate to take over the many responsibilities demanded of the United States Treasury Secretary. I fully support Mr. O'Neill's nomination, and I look forward to working with him in the new administration. Mr. O'Neill brings to the position of Treasury Secretary a broad range of experience both in the public and private sector. He began his career as an engineer with Morrison-Knudsen, Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska and then went on to serve as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget under the Ford administration. In 1977, Mr. O'Neill became the vice president of International Paper and in 1985 assumed the position of President. This path ultimately led him to aluminum giant Alcoa where, as chairman, he has been credited with the company's revival in the face of the industry's struggles nationwide. Based on his past accomplishments, I believe Mr. O'Neill will bring valuable insights to the critically important post to which he has been nominated. I noted with interest Mr. O'Neill's comments during his confirmation hearing about the role tax cuts should play in our economy, namely, that they are not the sole means by which to stimulate a slowing economy. This is an important cautionary note that we all should heed as we move forward on the issue of tax cuts. While I support tax relief and reform, I also believe that our Nation's tax policy should be guided by three main principals. First, it should be fair. Those who need tax relief the most should receive the most relief. Second, any tax reform must be consistent with our commitment to maintain a balanced budget and reduce our national debt. In my opinion, this is the best gift we can give to future generations of Americans. And finally, we must leave room to meet our existing obligations, like defense, education, law enforcement, Medicare, and Social Security, as well as the new challenges that most certainly lie ahead. The goal of this new Congress and administration must be to maintain and build upon the prosperity achieved over the past eight years. We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years. The national poverty rate is at its lowest mark in 20 years. The economy has created 22 million new jobs since 1993. We have moved from record deficits to record surpluses. And October 2000 marked this country's 115th consecutive month of economic expansion--the longest period of economic growth in our nation's history. Our future policy decisions should reflect a commitment to foster this progress and growth in the coming years. And while Mr. O'Neill will be inheriting a strong economy, there still remain a number of challenges that I believe will deserve special attention so as to keep our economy moving in a positive direction. One of the most critical tasks to be faced is the aging of America, and specifically, the stability of Social Security. As new levels of demand are placed on Social Security, we must look to reasonable and balanced proposals that will ensure a financially secure foundation for current and future retirees. We must also strive to maintain the United States position as a trade leader in an ever-increasing global marketplace. It is in our best long-term economic interests to remain an active trading partner with our allies and to be open to the opportunities that exist in emerging markets. At the same time, we must remain aware of the needs and job security of American workers and the goods they produce. Furthermore, emphasis should be placed on maintaining the competitiveness of our financial institutions. And one of the biggest challenges will be how to expand our nation's prosperity to more Americans--Americans who have yet to reap the benefits of our dynamic economy and who strive to achieve more financial security for themselves and their families. In closing, I once again wish to express my support for Mr. O'Neill's nomination. He has presented himself as a fair and honest candidate who has expressed a willingness to work with all Members of Congress on our nation's most important priorities. I remain hopeful that we will be able to do so, and urge my colleagues to support this nominee. ____________________