[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2094-2095]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

                                 ______
                                 

                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
immediately proceed to executive session to consider the following 
nominations on today's Executive Calendar: Calendar Nos. 286, 294, 521, 
522, 524, 526, 527, 528, 544, 545, and 546.
  Finally, I ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed en 
bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, the President 
be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then 
return to legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The nominations considered and confirmed en bloc are as follows:


                              in the navy

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Naval Reserve to the grade indicated under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 12203:

                           To be rear admiral

     Rear Adm. (lh) Craig O. McDonald, 0000

       The following named officer for appointment in the United 
     States Naval Reserve to the grade indicated under title 10, 
     U.S.C., section 12203:

                    To be rear admiral (lower half)

     Capt. Raymond P. English, 0000


                   executive office of the president

       Carol E. Dinkins, of Texas, to be Chairman of the Privacy 
     and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
       Alan Charles Raul, of the District of Columbia, to be Vice 
     Chairman of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

[[Page 2095]]

       Stephen C. King, of New York, to be a Member of the Foreign 
     Claims Settlement Commission of the United States for the 
     term expiring September 30, 2008.


                         department of defense

       Preston M. Geren, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of the 
     Army.
       James I. Finley, of Minnesota, to be Deputy Under Secretary 
     of Defense for Acquisition and Technology.


                          department of energy

       Thomas P. D'Agostino, of Maryland, to be Deputy 
     Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security 
     Administration.


                         federal reserve system

       Randall S. Kroszner, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the 
     Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the 
     unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 1994.
       Kevin M. Warsh, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of 
     Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired 
     term of fourteen years from February 1, 2004.


                   executive office of the president

       Edward P. Lazear, of California, to be a Member of the 
     Council of Economic Advisers.


                      Nomination of Carol Dinkins

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination 
of Carol Dinkins of Houston, TX, to be the chair of the Privacy and 
Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
  Congress recently created this important position based on the 
recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The Privacy and Civil Liberties 
Oversight Board is designed to monitor and uphold our nation's 
commitment to defend civil liberties. Part of the board's 
responsibilities will be to provide honest, responsible, and fair 
review of the development and implementation of laws, regulations, and 
executive branch policies--specifically with respect to our Federal 
Government's commitment to protect America from the ongoing threat of 
terrorism.
  The board will play an important role in ensuring that privacy and 
civil liberty concerns are appropriately considered. Such oversight is 
important because, as a Nation, we proudly revere our civil liberties. 
We must remain committed to vigorously defend them, in order to ensure 
that we remain a beacon of freedom to the rest of the world.
  Congress strives to strike a careful and wise balance between 
national security and civil liberties. While this is not always easy, I 
believe we do so with the best interests of our Nation in mind--and do 
so in an honest and good faith manner.
  Ms. Dinkins is the right person for this important position, as she 
has proven throughout her distinguished career to share these values. 
Her vast public service and private-sector experience will allow Carol 
Dinkins to offer unique perspectives to the privacy board. As Deputy 
Attorney General under President Reagan--the second-highest ranking 
position in the Department of Justice--Ms. Dinkins was responsible for 
the day-to-day management of the Justice Department's more than 60,000 
employees. Moreover, she played a significant role in the development 
of the Reagan administration's criminal justice and anti-terrorism 
policies.
  Ms. Dinkins has also been a long-time partner in the distinguished 
Texas law firm of Vinson & Elkins. She has devoted a substantial amount 
of her time to a variety of public service initiatives, including 
service on the American Bar Association, and has also donated 
significant time to activities designed to promote conservation and 
protect the environment.
  I am proud to support Carol Dinkins for this position and am 
confident that she will serve the Nation with honor and distinction.

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