[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 8600]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    ON THE NOMINATION OF JON DUDAS TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to inform my 
colleagues that Jon Dudas, former counsel to the Speaker, and former 
key member of my staff when I was Chairman of the House Judiciary 
Committee has been nominated by the President to the crucial post of 
Under Secretary of Commerce.
  I include my testimony in support of his nomination before the Senate 
Judiciary Committee for the information of my colleagues.

                Statement of The Honorable Henry J. Hyde

       Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee,
       It is a pleasure to be here today to support the 
     President's excellent choice for the crucial position of 
     Under Secretary of Commerce, Jon Dudas.
       I have known Jon for almost a decade. After he graduated 
     from law school at the University of Chicago, he came to 
     Capitol Hill and worked in my congressional office as a 
     legislative counsel. When I first became Chairman of the 
     House Judiciary Committee, Jon moved over as counsel to the 
     Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property which has 
     jurisdiction over the complex issues of patent law. Shortly 
     thereafter, I named him Staff Director and Deputy General 
     Counsel of the full Judiciary Committee. During those 
     extremely busy and trying years for the Congress and the 
     Committee, I came to know Jon very well, and I became 
     personally acquainted with his strong leadership, tremendous 
     loyalty, unwavering integrity and the ability to accomplish 
     his assigned mission under tremendous pressure.
       When I first got to Congress, I learned an important 
     lesson. If you want something done, you talk to the Member, 
     and then you go to the ``staffer who makes the Member look 
     good.'' During his service on Capitol Hill, Jon was one of 
     the people who made me look good.
       In his position on the Judiciary Committee staff, Jon 
     helped me manage the most productive committee in the 
     Congress--more than one out of five bills considered by the 
     House during the 105th and 106th Congresses went through the 
     Judiciary Committee. Our Conference relied upon him to help 
     achieve some of their most important goals during that 
     period.
       With mixed feelings, I encouraged Jon to leave the 
     Committee staff when the Speaker asked him to serve as his 
     chief floor manager and legal policy advisor to the House 
     Leadership. Jon played a critical role in advancing 
     legislation to support the war on terror.
       Jon left the Hill when our former colleague, Jim Rogan, was 
     appointed to be Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of 
     the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As the 
     Assistant Secretary immediately under Jim Rogan, Jon played 
     an integral part in implementing the President's Management 
     agenda and in developing the 21st Century Strategic Plan--a 
     comprehensive map to move the Patent and Trademark Office 
     from its crisis situation to one of improved quality, quicker 
     issuance of patents and increased efficiency. His ability to 
     relate and work well with others and his good relationships 
     with Members of Congress will be critical in achieving the 
     difficult task of passing the Administration's fee bill that 
     will implement the strategic plan. Just as important, because 
     he has been serving as Under Secretary Rogan's right hand for 
     the last two years and currently as Acting Under Secretary, 
     Jon will provide continuity at the Patent and Trademark 
     Office.
       The issue of this government's position on patents is a 
     critical one in this ever-expanding world of scientific 
     progress. I can think of no one better qualified to lead the 
     Patent and Trademark Office. I urge the Committee to confirm 
     this fine public servant as Under Secretary of Commerce so 
     that he may continue to serve the best interest of the 
     American people.
       Thank you again for this opportunity to appear before you 
     today.

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