[Senate Hearing 109-1155]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
S. Hrg. 109-1155
NOMINATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING,
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY,
METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS
AUTHORITY, AND SAINT LAWRENCE
SEAWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
SEPTEMBER 21, 2006
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
71-811 PDF WASHINGTON : 2011
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
TED STEVENS, Alaska, Chairman
JOHN McCAIN, Arizona DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii, Co-
CONRAD BURNS, Montana Chairman
TRENT LOTT, Mississippi JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas Virginia
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts
GORDON H. SMITH, Oregon BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota
JOHN ENSIGN, Nevada BARBARA BOXER, California
GEORGE ALLEN, Virginia BILL NELSON, Florida
JOHN E. SUNUNU, New Hampshire MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
JIM DeMINT, South Carolina FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey
DAVID VITTER, Louisiana E. BENJAMIN NELSON, Nebraska
MARK PRYOR, Arkansas
Lisa J. Sutherland, Republican Staff Director
Christine Drager Kurth, Republican Deputy Staff Director
Kenneth R. Nahigian, Republican Chief Counsel
Margaret L. Cummisky, Democratic Staff Director and Chief Counsel
Samuel E. Whitehorn, Democratic Deputy Staff Director and General
Counsel
Lila Harper Helms, Democratic Policy Director
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on September 21, 2006............................... 1
Statement of Senator Inouye...................................... 28
Prepared statement of Senator Rockefeller.................... 28
Statement of Senator Pryor....................................... 29
Statement of Senator Stevens..................................... 1
Prepared statement........................................... 3
Prepared statement of the Chairman regarding the Background of:
Hon. David Pryor............................................. 3
Cynthia Glassman............................................. 13
Sharon Hays.................................................. 20
Calvin L. Scovel III......................................... 30
Charles Snelling............................................. 35
Witnesses
Boskin, Chris, Nominee to be a Member of the Board of Directors,
Corporation for Public Broadcasting............................ 9
Prepared statement........................................... 11
Biographical information..................................... 12
Ehlers, Hon. Vernon, U.S. Representative from Michigan........... 1
Glassman, Ph.D., Hon. Cynthia A., Nominee to be Under Secretary
for Economic Affairs, Department of Commerce................... 14
Prepared statement........................................... 15
Biographical information..................................... 16
Hays, Dr. Sharon Lynn, Nominee to be Associate Director, Office
of Science and Technology Policy............................... 20
Prepared statement........................................... 22
Biographical information..................................... 24
Johnson, Jr., Collister ``Terry,'' Nominee to be Administrator,
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.................. 43
Prepared statement........................................... 44
Biographical information..................................... 45
Pryor, Hon. David, Nominee to be a Member of the Board of
Directors, Corporation for Public Broadcasting................. 4
Prepared statement........................................... 5
Biographical information..................................... 6
Scovel III, Calvin L., Nominee to be Inspector General,
Department of Transportation................................... 30
Prepared statement........................................... 31
Biographical information..................................... 32
Snelling, Hon. Charles Darwin, Nominee to be a Member of the
Board of Directors, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. 35
Prepared statement........................................... 37
Biographical information..................................... 38
Specter, Hon. Arlen, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.............. 19
Prepared statement........................................... 19
NOMINATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, CORPORATION FOR
PUBLIC BROADCASTING, OFFICE OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY,
METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS
AUTHORITY, AND SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
----------
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:30 p.m. in room
SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Stevens,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED STEVENS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA
The Chairman. Thank you very much. We're going to start off
the afternoon with presentations made by Representative Ehlers
and by Senator Specter.
We're happy to have you come over and make this
presentation, Mr. Ehlers. We're at your service.
STATEMENT OF HON. VERNON EHLERS,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MICHIGAN
Mr. Ehlers. Mr. Chairman, it is, indeed, a great pleasure
to come over here, and it's an honor for me to introduce Dr.
Sharon Hays, the President's nominee for the position of
Associate Director of Science at the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
I suspect most people here know that I am a scientist, a
nuclear physicist. I have done a good deal of work on science
in my life, and also in the Congress. And one of those tasks
was to, at the behest of Speaker Gingrich when he was the
Speaker, to try to develop a new national science policy. The
last time that had been done was 1945, and an excellent piece
of work at that time, but Newt and others felt it should be
updated.
Fortunately, at the time this project was started, I was
fortunate enough to have an excellent science fellow from the
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Sharon
Hays--she only stayed with me a year, but that was more than
enough to produce this book, one of the few government
documents that has been printed in paperback and distributed
worldwide. And she did an absolutely incredible job on that. I
could not have produced this work without her help. She is
astute, knowledgeable, capable, a good writer, and an
incredibly capable person to have working for the U.S.
Government.
After she left my office, she worked for the Science
Committee in the House, but now has been working in the Office
of Science and Technology Policy for several years. That
agency, of course, provides scientific and technical advice to
the President, works to assess and coordinate science and
technology efforts across the Federal Government. And the
position she has been nominated for as the OSTP Associate
Director for Science leads these important activities within
the science division of OSTP, and I cannot imagine anyone more
knowledgeable, more experienced, and more capable to take on
that task.
She has been educated at some of the Nation's most
prestigious institutions. Unfortunately, not the University of
Alaska. But she came very close to that. She received her
undergraduate degree in molecular biology from the University
of California at Berkeley, from which I received my Ph.D. And
she received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Stanford
University, where she performed her thesis research under the
direction of Nobel Laureate Paul Berg, one of the brightest
scientists in the world, and she still continues her friendship
with him. Her scientific work has been published in scientific
journals and presented at international scientific meetings.
I was very fortunate to meet her early. As I said, she's
been--was an invaluable help to me during the time she was in
my office. She is a diplomat par excellence. She conducted all
her work--and the work I gave her involved dealing with many
scientists throughout--across the country--she graciously
conducted herself with flying colors, and I simply could not
have done the work without her.
I was very sorry to have her leave my office, but she
strengthened her policy credentials in the House Science
Committee; and her work at OSTP, up to this point, has been a
blessing to the Nation, but also has really aided in her
growth.
She is clearly qualified for this position. Both leaders in
science and her peers have recognized her abilities and lauded
her nomination. From my own personal interaction with Dr. Hays,
I can say, without reservation, that her integrity and
character further complement her other outstanding
qualifications. We are very fortunate to have someone of her
ability, her character, her competence working for the U.S.
Government, devoting her unique mixture of scientific
expertise, policy experience, and desire to serve the
Government working on our most pressing national problems in
one of our greatest scientific agencies.
The President made a fine choice in Dr. Hays. It is my hope
that this distinguished panel will approve her confirmation
today. And I thank you for the opportunity to introduce her to
you.
The Chairman. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Do
you have any comments, Senator?
Senator Inouye. No, thank you.
The Chairman. We do appreciate you coming. And she comes
highly recommended, with your endorsement, so we will be
pleased to act on this nomination as quickly as possible.
Mr. Ehlers. I thank you very much.
The Chairman. Now we'll hear from the Honorable David
Pryor, Chris Boskin, Cynthia Glassman, and Sharon Hays.
[Pause.]
The Chairman. I'm going to put in the record my opening
statement, and proceed right to the statements of the nominees.
[The prepared statement of Senator Stevens follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator from Alaska
This afternoon the Committee will hear from nominees chosen to
serve in various positions in the transportation, communications,
science, and economic sectors. The Committee welcomes you, and thanks
you for your willingness to serve.
Senator David Pryor and Chris Boskin have been nominated to serve
on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
CPB is vital to ensuring the survival of local television and radio
stations. Although CPB does not produce programs, it awards grants to
create public broadcasting programs. As members of the Board of
Directors, these nominees would set policies and establish programming
priorities.
Dr. Cynthia Glassman has been nominated to be Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs at the Department of Commerce. If confirmed, Dr.
Glassman would oversee the Economics and Statistics Administration,
which keeps track of economic and social changes in order to analyze
them and craft domestic and international economic policy.
Dr. Sharon Hays is the nominee to be Associate Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy. Our Committee approved an
innovation and competitiveness bill in May and the Committee is now
working to get the full Senate to consider and pass a bill on this
topic. OSTP has the potential to make important contributions to our
country on the issue of innovation, and I look forward to continuing
our discussions on this very important issue. Senator Allen has
submitted a statement for the record in support of Dr. Hays, and I
understand that Congressman Ehlers is here today to speak in support of
Dr. Hays' nomination.
Colonel Calvin Scovel has been nominated to be Inspector General of
the Department of Transportation. The IG's office plays the important
role of conducting audits and investigations in order to ensure no
fraud or abuse is occurring within the Department. This Committee
relies on the IG's office for independent and timely reviews of DOT
programs. We have a long history with the IG's office and I look
forward to working with Colonel Scovel should he be confirmed.
Charles Snelling is nominated to serve a second term on the Board
of Directors for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The
Airports Authority operates Dulles and Reagan National Airports and
handles the modernization and capital improvements for both. The Board
plays a pivotal role for the National Capitol Region and the many
travelers who pass through the region each year. Senator Specter will
be introducing Mr. Snelling this morning.
Collister Johnson is the President's nominee to be Administrator of
the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The major
responsibilities of the SLSDC include operation and maintenance of the
two U.S. locks in the St. Lawrence River, vessel traffic control, and
marketing to increase trade through the Great Lakes.
I have been notified that the nominees have family and friends in
attendance today, and I hope they will take a moment to introduce them
to the Committee.
The Chairman. Senator, I never thought I'd have this
privilege of recognizing you as a nominee, but welcome to this
hearing. We'd be pleased to have your statement. You're
nominated to become a member of the board of directors of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Prepared Statement of the Chairman regarding the Background of
Hon. David Pryor
David Pryor was nominated on June 26, 2006, to be a Member of the
Board of Directors at CPB. Senator Pryor served as Dean of the Clinton
School of Public Service from 2004 to 2006. He served as a U.S. Senator
from 1979 to 1997, after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
and as Governor of Arkansas. In addition to his public service, Senator
Pryor has acted as a consultant for such companies as Federal Express
Corporation, CorpHealth, Waste Management, and Financial Services
Corporation. Senator Pryor earned his bachelor's and law degrees from
the University of Arkansas, and is a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas.
STATEMENT OF HON. DAVID PRYOR, NOMINEE TO BE A
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC
BROADCASTING
Senator David Pryor. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I'm honored
to be here today.
The Chairman. Would you do us a favor and introduce your
lady?
Senator David Pryor. Well, let's see, I have Ms. Boskin on
my left and----
[Laughter.]
Senator David Pryor.--and Barbara Pryor on my right.
[Laughter.]
Senator David Pryor. Barbara Pryor is--I have two ladies
here, I think, I'm looking at. Yes, Barbara is here with us,
Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye. And Ms. Boskin is one of
the two nominees today that I think the Committee will be
looking at. And so, we're all honored to be here in your
Committee.
Mr. Chairman, my statement should just really last about 2
minutes, and I just want to thank you and say that I'm so
honored that you would let us come before your committee. I'm
glad that you called this meeting. And, also, Mr. Chairman and
Senator Inouye, I'm so honored that the President has named me
as a nominee for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting Board.
During the past several months, I've had the opportunity to
read in some detail as it relates to the history and the
purpose, the practice, the ultimate mission of public
broadcasting in our great and diverse country. And America, I
think, Mr. Chairman, is truly on the eve of celebrating one of
the great events of America, and that is public broadcasting.
Virtually every American citizen in every rural and urban
neighborhood now has access to the many varied programs offered
by public radio and public television, notwithstanding the many
contributions the commercial stations and new cable systems
have made. And, more and more, the average citizen, I truly
believe, has established a special relationship, even a bond,
with their favorite programs brought to them by public
television and by public radio.
Mr. Chairman, to me there seems to be several common themes
which have evolved from concept to commitment in the area of
public radio and public broadcast during these four decades:
fairness, objectivity, tolerance, knowledge, education,
balance, perspective, and entertainment. And these
characteristics of radio and television in the arena of public
broadcasting have become the hallmark of this truly great
American adventure.
I truly believe that the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting, with its unique partnerships with member outlets,
state governments, private donors, has developed a strong
family of support for the common belief that sharing the
American experience with each other through public television
and radio has met with enormous success. This experience has
helped bring us together as a country to help to define
ourselves as a people and to explore in a very transparent way
not only our differences, but certainly our common interests.
Because of public radio and public television, I believe that
America is a better place.
Respectfully, Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, it
would be difficult to imagine what America might have missed
had we failed, some 40 years ago to have authorized and
committed ourselves to a system of public broadcasting. Think
about it: Sesame Street, Robert McNeil and Jim Lehrer, Antiques
Road Show, All Things Considered, local and national debates,
Car Talk, Mr. Rogers, Masterpiece Theater, and many, many
others which make up this great fabric of the American
landscape.
Mr. Chairman, I bring no agenda with my nomination. In
fact, I bring very little expertise or experience in the field
of radio or television broadcasting, especially compared to my
colleagues at the witness table today and those who now sit on
the corporation board of directors. But I do hope I bring a
very strong commitment to the corporation and a continued quest
for excellence which I truly believe this corporation is trying
to achieve. And I only hope that some of the life experiences
that I've had along the way can somehow be utilized to be a
constructive advocate as a member of this very, very
distinguished board.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you for hearing my statement this
afternoon.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of
Senator Pryor follow:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. David Pryor, Nominee to be a Member of the
Board of Directors, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the Committee:
I am honored to be here with you today and am grateful to the
President for this nomination to be considered for a Board position on
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
During the past several months, I have had the opportunity to read
in some detail as it relates to the history, purpose, practice and
ultimate mission of Public Broadcasting in out great and diverse
country.
America is on the eve of celebrating forty years of public
broadcasting in our country. Virtually every American citizen, in every
rural and urban neighborhood, now has access to the many varied
programs offered by public radio and television.
Notwithstanding the many contributions the commercial stations and
new cable systems have made, more and more the average citizen in
America has established a special relationship, even a bond, with their
favorite programs brought to them by public broadcast and public radio.
Mr. Chairman, to me, there seems to be several common themes which
have evolved from concept to commitment in these four decades:
Fairness
Objectivity
Tolerance
Knowledge
Education
Balance
Perspective
Entertainment
These characteristics of radio and television in the arena of
public broadcasting have become the hallmark of this great American
adventure.
I truly believe that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, with
its unique partnerships with member outlets, state governments, and
private donors, has developed a strong family of support for the common
belief that sharing the American experience with each other through
public broadcast television and radio had met with enormous success.
This experience has helped bring us together, to define ourselves, to
explore in a very transparent way our differences and common interests.
Because of public radio and broadcast, I believe that America is a
better place.
Respectfully, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, it would
be difficult to imagine what America might have missed had we failed
some forty years ago to authorize and commit to a system of public
broadcasting--Sesame Street. Robert McNeil and Jim Lehrer. Antique Road
Show. All Things Considered. Local and national debates. Car Talk. Mr.
Rogers. . . . a real and living part of our American landscape.
Mr. Chairman--I bring no agenda with my nomination. In fact, I
bring very little expertise in the field of radio or television
broadcast, especially compared to my colleagues at the witness table
today and those who now sit on the Corporation Board.
But, I do hope I bring a commitment, a strong commitment, to the
Corporations continued quest for excellence.
I only hope that some of the life experiences I've had along the
way can be somehow utilized to be a constructive advocate as a member
of this distinguished Board.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name: (Include any former names or nicknames used) David Hampton
Pryor.
2. Position to which nominated: Board of Directors, Corporation for
Public Broadcasting.
3. Date of nomination: June 2006.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses.)
Residence: information not released to the public.
Office: 2701 Kavanaugh Blvd., Suite 300, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Office: Clinton School of Public Service, University of
Arkansas, 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201.
5. Date and place of birth: 8/29/1934; Camden, Arkansas.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Barbara Lunsford Pryor, Wife, Self-employed Interior Decorator;
children: David Hampton Pryor, Jr., son, 46; Mark Lunsford
Pryor, son, 43; Scott Newton Pryor, son, 40.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended: B.A., University of Arkansas, 1957 J.D., University of
Arkansas, 1964.
8. List all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs
that relate to the position for which you are nominated: None.
9. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years.
Dean, Clinton School of Public Service, University of Little Rock,
Arkansas Distinguished Professor, Political Science Department,
University of Arkansas
10. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last 5 years.
Dean, Clinton School of Public Service
Consultant, Federal Express Corporation
Managing Director, Herrington, Inc.
Trustee, Clinton Legal Expense Trust
Consultant, CorpHealth
Distinguished Professor, University of Arkansas
Consultant, Waste Management
Consultant, Financial Services Corporation
Consultant, Halter Financial Group
Consultant, Anawah, Inc.
Consultant, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives
Partner, Sundquist, Pryor, Boland, Reeves, Cloud
Consultant, George Tagg Consulting
Director, Institute of Politics, Harvard University
Trustee, Clinton Presidential Library Foundation
Comptroller General's Commission to Study the Federal Workers
Long Term Project, Institute for Healthcare Policy, Georgetown
University
Heinz Award Juror for Public Policy
11. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.
Heifer International Board Member 2000-2005 (approx.)
Winrock International Board Member 1998-2000 (approx.)
Alfalfa Club, 1995-Present
Arkansas Arts Center
KLRE/KUAR
Arkansas Rep Theatre
Arkansas Alumni Association, 1990-Present
Arkansas Bar Association, since admitted to Bar
Association of Former Members of Congress, 2004-Present
Chenal Country Club Member, 1998-2000 (approx.)
Rotary Club of Little Rock, honorary, 1997-Present
12. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? If so,
indicate whether any campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and
whether you are personally liable for that debt: Yes, no outstanding
debts.
13. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years.
Mark Pryor for U.S. Senate
Will Pryor for Congress
Mike Hathorn for Congress
Chet Culver Committee
Democratic Party of Arkansas
John Kerry for President
Vic Snyder for Congress
Meeks for Congress
Ed Stanton for Congress
Dodd for Senate
Jimmie Lou Fisher Campaign
Boren for Congress
Hollings for Senate
14. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Heinz Award Juror for Public Policy
AARP Andrus Award
1st Annual Wilbur D. Mills Leadership Award for Preserving
Social Security
KARK Community Service Award
Fellow and Director, Institute of Politics, Harvard University
Distinguished Service Award, Arkansas Press Association
Arkansas Broadcasters Association Arkansan of the Year
Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism Hall of Fame
The International Foundation's Public Service Award
Eagle Award, Washington Regional Medical Foundation
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, President's
Award
Arkansas Education Association Friend of Education Award
Diamond Award, Arkansas Chapter Public Relations Society of
America
University of AR Law School Distinguished Alumni Award
Elected Officials Appreciation Award--AR Martin Luther King,
Jr. Commission
Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame
Historic Preservation Alliance of AR--Parker Westbrook Lifetime
Achievement Award
Charles M. West Distinguished American Ward-97th NARD Annual
Convention
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Certificate of
Appreciation in Grateful Recognition of outstanding
contributions to the field of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Easter Seals Man of the Year
Golden Plow Award, American Farm Bureau Federation
Legislative Conservationists of the Year Award by AR Wildlife
Federation in Cooperation With the National Wildlife Federation
and Sears Roebuck & Co.
Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award
Honorary Doctorate University of Arkansas
Honorary Doctorate Henderson State University
Honorary Doctorate Lyon College
Honorary Doctorate Philander Smith College
Fellow, Institute of Politics, Harvard University
15. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, and any speeches that you have
given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed: None.
16. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a non-governmental capacity and
specify the subject matter of each testimony: N/A.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers.
Federal Express Corporation, consultant, $6,250 per month.
Herrington, Inc., Managing Director, $8,333 per month.
Clinton School of Public Service, $6,000 per month (approx.).
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? See Above.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated: None.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity during the past 5 years in which you have
engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy: None.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items: None.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, state, or other law enforcement authority for violation of
any Federal, state, county, or municipal law, regulation, or ordinance,
other than for a minor traffic offense? No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? No.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: N/A.
6. Have you even been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? No.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
The Chairman. Thank you very much.
Next, Ms. Chris Boskin, also nominated to be a Member of
the Board of Directors at the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting.
Chris Boskin was nominated on June 26, 2006, to be a Member
of the Board of Directors at CPB. Ms. Boskin is a veteran of
magazine publishing, and has held marketing and publishing
positions with Worth Media, the New Yorker magazine, Hearst
Corporation, East West Network, and Knapp Communications. She
has helped launch such magazines as Countryside and Bon
Appetit. In addition, Ms. Boskin has been a member of numerous
boards, such as those for KQED (PBS), Yoga Journal, College
Track, and EDUCATE GIRLS Foundation. Ms Boskin earned her
bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley,
and also studied at the Academia in Florence, Italy. She
currently resides in Portola Valley, California.
STATEMENT OF CHRIS BOSKIN, NOMINEE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS, CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Ms. Boskin. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Before I read my remarks, I would like to introduce my
husband, who is here with me, Michael Boskin, and my sister,
Rusty Dornan.
The Chairman. Yes, thank you very much.
Ms. Boskin. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you very
much for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss
my nomination to the board of the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting. I would also like to express my gratitude to
President Bush for nominating me to the board and for giving me
this opportunity to serve the public.
I come to CPB as a product of diverse experiences. As the
child of a Navy officer, I grew up all over the country and was
constantly exposed to new people and places. During my 30-year
career in magazine publishing, I have been engaged in
responding to social, cultural, economic, and technological
trends that are reshaping the media landscape and offering
audiences more options and information sources than ever.
And I come to CPB with the experience of 6 years on the
board of one of the Nation's flagship public broadcasting
stations, KQED, in Northern California. I am so proud of the
service that KQED provides to the people of Northern
California. Its programming, including PBS shows, NPR programs,
and KQED productions, reflects the core mission of public
broadcasting by inspiring, informing, educating and
entertaining the people of Northern California, as well as
people all over America.
Here's one great example. On June 15, 2006, President Bush
set aside nearly 140,000 square miles as the Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, the largest
protected marine area in the world. This decision was inspired,
in part, by the KQED-produced documentary, ``Jean-Michel
Cousteau: Ocean Adventures `Voyage to Kure,' '' which the
President viewed shortly before its April 2006 debut on PBS.
But public broadcasting effort's to reach people does not
end with broadcast. For KQED, located as it is in California--a
state I often say is like a Whitman's Sampler, you get a little
bit of everything--that means being able to reach out to people
in every background and every walk of life.
At KQED, we use the power of media to foster learning and
offer resources to everyone from preschoolers to adult
learners, especially finding ways to reach the underserved
communities throughout the bay area. KQED Hands-On Literacy,
which currently receives funding from CPB, is a ready-to-learn
grant providing both staff and training and more than 20,000
children's books a year to community partners serving low-
income and non-English-speaking families. The KQED Media
Literacy Project supports teachers and educators all over the
bay area as they encourage students to think critically about
the powerful images, words and sounds which saturate the
contemporary culture.
We deal with broad issues of aging with programs like the
Golden Road, which addresses safe driving for senior citizens,
and a Medicare Part D special which answers commonly asked
questions about this complex healthcare plan, and offer
additional resources to those viewers with specific questions
and concerns.
KQED is an excellent illustration of how public
broadcasting can reach out to serve a community with unique
needs. It has been doing so for 52 years. And fortunately, it
is not alone. Stations from Alaska and Hawaii to Maine and
Florida and Hawaii, and everywhere in between, are reaching out
in the ways most valuable to the people they serve.
One last point. KQED's community believes in what we are
doing, and proves it by its generous support. Over half of our
funding comes from direct member contributions. And KQED is one
of the Nation's most watched public television stations. For
the millions of Americans who do not have access to the 500-
channel universe created by cable and satellite, and for the
millions of us who do, there must continue to be a place for
outstanding programming that reaches out to the unserved and
underserved, that offers a range of perspectives and
viewpoints, and that educates, entertains, informs, and
inspires us to change the world. This is the core mission of
public broadcasting, and the one I would work to advance as a
member of the CPB board of directors.
I would consider it an honor to serve on this distinguished
board, and I continue to bring my experiences to public
broadcasting.
Thank you so very much.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Boskin follow:]
Prepared Statement of Chris Boskin, Nominee to be a Member of the Board
of Directors, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you very much for
the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss my nomination to
the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I would also like
to express my gratitude to President Bush for nominating me to the
board, and for giving me this opportunity to serve the public.
I come to CPB as a product of diverse experiences. As the child of
a Navy officer, I grew up all over the country, and was constantly
exposed to new people and places. During my 30-year career in magazine
publishing, I have been engaged in responding to social, cultural,
economic, and technological trends that are reshaping the media
landscape and offering audiences more options and information sources
than ever.
And I come to CPB with the experience of 6 years on the board of
one of the Nation's flagship public broadcasting stations, KQED in
Northern California.
I am so proud of the service that KQED provides to the people of
Northern California. Its programming--including PBS shows, NPR programs
and KQED productions--reflects the core mission of public broadcasting
by inspiring, informing, educating, and entertaining the people of
Northern California as well as people all over America.
Here's one great example: On June 15, 2006, President Bush set
aside nearly 140,000 square miles as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Marine National Monument--the largest protected marine area in the
world. This decision was inspired in part by the KQED-produced
documentary ``Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures `Voyage to Kure,'
'' which the president viewed shortly before its April, 2006 debut on
PBS.
But public broadcasting's efforts to reach people does not end with
the broadcast. For KQED, located as it is in California--a state I
often say is like a Whitman's Sampler, with a little bit of
everything--that means being able to reach out to people of every
background and every walk of life.
At KQED, we use the power of media to foster learning and offer
resources to everyone from preschoolers to adult learners, especially
finding ways to reach the underserved communities throughout the Bay
Area.
KQED Hands on Literacy, which currently receives funding from CPB,
is a Ready to Learn Grant providing both staff training and more than
20,000 children's books a year to community partners, serving low-
income and non-English speaking families.
The KQED Media Literacy Project supports teachers and educators all
over the Bay Area as they encourage students to think critically about
the powerful images, words, and sounds which saturate contemporary
culture.
We deal with broad issues of aging with programs like ``The Golden
Road'' which addresses safe driving for senior citizens, and a Medicare
Part D special, which answers commonly-asked questions about this
complex health care plan and offers additional resources to those
viewers with specific questions and concerns.
KQED is an excellent illustration of how public broadcasting can
reach out to serve a community with unique needs. It has been doing so
for 52 years. And fortunately, it is not alone; stations from Alaska
and Arizona to Maine and Florida and everywhere in between are reaching
out in the ways most valuable to the people they serve.
One last point. KQED's community believes in what we are doing--and
proves it by its generous support. Over half of our funding comes from
direct member contributions, and KQED is one of the Nation's most
watched public television stations.
For the millions of Americans who do not have access to the 500-
channel universe created by cable and satellite--and for the millions
of us who do--there must continue to be a place for outstanding
programming that reaches out to the unserved and underserved; that
offers a range of perspectives and viewpoints; and that educates,
entertains, informs, and inspires us to change the world. That is the
core mission of public broadcasting, and the one I would work to
advance as a member of the CPB Board of Directors.
I would consider it an honor to serve on this distinguished board
and to continue to bring my experiences to public broadcasting.
Thank you and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name: (Include any former names or nicknames used) Christien
Dornin Boskin, Marie, Chris.
2. Position to which nominated: Board of Directors/Corporation of
Public Broadcasting.
3. Date of nomination: June 26, 2006.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses.)
Information not released to the public.
5. Date and place of birth: March 31, 1945; Washington, DC.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Michael J. Boskin/T.M. Friedman Professor of Economics and Hoover
Institution Senior Fellow, Stanford University.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
University of California, Berkeley BA, 1967.
8. List all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs
that relate to the position for which you are nominated: None.
9. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: None.
10. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last 5 year.
KQED Member, Board of Directors. Partner, Yoga Journal Magazine.
11. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.
KQED, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports, College Track, Alpine Hills
Tennis & Swim Club, WISH.
12. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? If so,
indicate whether any campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and
whether you are personally liable for that debt: No.
13. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years.
Bush/Cheney 2000, $2,000; Bush/Cheney 2004, $2,000; Arnold
Schwarzenegger for Governor, $2,000.
14. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements: None.
15. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, and any speeches that you have
given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed: None.
16. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a non-governmental capacity and
specify the subject matter of each testimony: N/A.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers: Care2.com and ManiaTV.com. Options on 10,000
shares of stock each if and when they go public.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain: KQED (Board of Directors).
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated: KQED (Board of
Directors).
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity during the past 5 years in which you have
engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy: N/A.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items: I will reframe from participating in any decision raising a
potential conflict and I will seek the advice of counsel.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? Never.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, state, or other law enforcement authority for violation of
any Federal, state, county, or municipal law, regulation, or ordinance,
other than for a minor traffic offense? Never.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? Never.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? Never.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: N/A.
6. Have you even been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? N/A.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
The Chairman. Well, thank you very much.
Our next witness, if I see right, is Ms. Cynthia Glassman
to be the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs of the
Department of Commerce.
Do you have anyone with you, Ms. Glassman?
Ms. Glassman. I do. I'm very pleased to introduce my
husband, Dr. Leonard Glassman, sitting over there.
The Chairman. Yes, sir. Thank you very much. It's nice to
have you with us, Doctor.
Prepared Statement of the Chairman regarding the Background of
Cynthia Glassman
Cynthia Glassman was nominated on August 3, 2006 to be Under
Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs. Dr. Glassman has served as
a Commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since
2002, and Acting Chairman since the summer of 2005. Prior to her
appointment at the SEC, Dr. Glassman was a Principal at Ernst & Young,
LLP in the Risk Management Group, and then in the Quantitative
Economics and Statistics Group. Dr. Glassman has also worked at the
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, and Economists, Incorporated. She received her
bachelor's degree from Wellesley College and her masters and Ph.D. in
Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in
Alexandria, VA.
STATEMENT OF HON. CYNTHIA A. GLASSMAN, Ph.D., NOMINEE
TO BE UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Ms. Glassman. Chairman Stevens, Senator Inouye, and
distinguished Members of the Committee, it's a privilege for me
to appear before you today as the nominee for Under Secretary
for Economic Affairs for the Department of Commerce. It's an
honor to be nominated by President Bush for this position.
As a Ph.D. economist, I've been a user of Commerce data for
my entire 35-year career, both in government and in the private
sector. I want to thank Secretary Gutierrez for the opportunity
to lead the excellent group of professionals at Census, BEA,
and ESA, and advise him on the state of the economic
environment.
The U.S. economy is a complicated and powerful engine. The
economic language used to examine and explain that language can
be complex. One of the primary roles of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs is to serve as the chief economic advisor to
the Secretary. If confirmed, I will seek to ensure that
Secretary Gutierrez continues to get the information he needs,
without spin and in plain English.
Another of my goals, if confirmed, is to make sure that the
taxpayers' money is put to the best use in collecting and
generating the most relevant and useful economic data in a
cost-effective way. Robust, accurate, and timely information is
critical to making informed policy decisions.
To maintain and enhance data quality, we need to make sure
not only that we have sufficient resources devoted to this
important function, but also that those resources are used
efficiently and effectively. In that regard, I want to make
sure that the data are capturing the key elements of the
economy as we move further into the 21st century. If confirmed,
I look forward to working with the Secretary and his recently
announced Advisory Committee on Measuring Innovation in the
21st Century as they work to outline a way to improve
measurement in this critical area.
I have served at the Federal Reserve, the Treasury
Department, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the
public sector, and as an economist, consultant, and educator in
the private sector. I believe that this prior experience will
serve me well both as an overseer of the Census and BEA and as
an economic advisor to Secretary Gutierrez. And I look forward
to the opportunity to meet the challenges of this position.
If confirmed, the transition from SEC Commissioner,
including my stint as Acting Chairman, to Commerce Under
Secretary will be a natural one for me. I see the roles as
philosophically similar: to help advance the quality of life
and well-being of Americans by helping to maintain a strong and
vibrant economy.
As I did at the SEC, at Commerce I would work to carry out
the mission, specifically working to monitor and maintain a
sound economic environment--an environment capable of
supporting economic growth and opportunity for all who seek it.
I appreciate the opportunity to be here today, and look forward
to working with you on issues of mutual interest, if my
nomination is confirmed.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Glassman follow:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Cynthia A. Glassman, Ph.D., Nominee to be
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Department of Commerce
Chairman Stevens, Senator Inouye, and distinguished Members of the
Committee, it is a privilege for me to appear before you today as the
nominee for Under Secretary for Economic Affairs for the Department of
Commerce. It is an honor to be nominated by President Bush for this
position. I am pleased that my husband, Len Glassman, is able to be
here with me today.
I have a great appreciation for the Economics and Statistics
Administration, the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
As an economist, I have been a user of Commerce Department data for my
entire 35-year career, both in government and in the private sector. I
want to thank Secretary Gutierrez for the opportunity to lead this
excellent group of professionals and advise him on the state of the
economic environment.
The U.S. economy is a complicated and powerful engine. The economic
language used to examine and explain that engine can be complex. One of
the primary roles of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs is to
serve as the chief economic adviser to the Secretary. If confirmed, I
will seek to ensure that the Secretary continues to have the
information he needs--without spin and in plain English. The Secretary
should have the most accurate, sharp lens with which to look at the
economy. I have watched the economy from different vantage points in my
career and will provide him with as clear a view as possible.
Another of my goals, if confirmed, is to make sure that the
taxpayers' money is put to the best use in collecting and generating
the most relevant and useful economic data in a cost effective way.
After all, the bureaus produce the information that allows Congress,
the Administration, and decisionmakers at all levels to make the best
choices for our future. Robust, accurate, and timely information is
critical to making informed policy decisions. To maintain and enhance
the data quality, we need to make sure not only that we have sufficient
resources devoted to this important function, but also that those
resources are used efficiently and effectively. Census and BEA already
provide good value for the taxpayers' dollar, but I will work to make
sure they continue to improve their products, while being mindful of
costs, benefits, and trade-offs.
In that regard, I want to make sure that the data are capturing the
key elements of the economy as we move further into the 21st century. I
am very excited about Secretary Gutierrez's Innovation Committee
initiative. I think most of us have an intuitive feeling that the
strong growth that the United States economy continues to experience as
compared with other nations is related to our ability to innovate.
However, while we track some measures that are related to aspects of
the innovative process, such as R&D spending or number of patents
issued, we need to gain a better understanding of the impact of
innovation and its diffusion on the economy. If confirmed, I look
forward to working with the Secretary and his recently announced
Advisory Committee on ``Measuring Innovation in the 21st Century'' as
they work to outline a way to improve measurement in this critical
area.
Each of the jobs I have held over the course of my career has been
different, but in each of them I have focused on some aspect of
business and the economy. I have served at the Federal Reserve, the
Treasury Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the
public sector and as an economist, consultant, and educator in the
private sector. I believe that, if confirmed, this prior experience
will serve me well both as an overseer of the Census and BEA and as an
economic advisor to Secretary Gutierrez. I look forward to meeting the
challenges of the position.
If confirmed, the transition from SEC Commissioner (including my
stint as Acting Chairman) to Commerce Under Secretary will be a natural
one for me. The mission of the Securities and Exchange Commission is
``to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets,
and facilitate capital formation.'' And the mission of Commerce is ``to
foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce.'' I see
the roles as philosophically similar: to help advance the quality of
life and well-being of Americans by helping to maintain a strong and
vibrant economy. American businesses create jobs, hire workers,
innovate, and produce needed goods and services. The SEC and Commerce
are both important in maintaining an environment that makes this
possible. As I did at the SEC, at Commerce I would work to carry out
the mission, specifically working to monitor and maintain a sound
economic environment--an environment capable of supporting economic
growth and opportunity for all who seek it.
I appreciate the opportunity to meet with you today and look
forward to working with you on issues of mutual interest if my
nomination is approved by this Committee and confirmed by the full
Senate. Thank you.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Cynthia Aaron
Glassman (Cynthia Belle Aaron, Cyndi Aaron, Cynthia A. Glassman, Cyndi
Glassman).
2. Position to which nominated: Under Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Affairs.
3. Date of Nomination: August 3, 2006.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Information not released to the public.
5. Date and Place of Birth: April 16, 1947; Brooklyn, NY.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Leonard M. Glassman, M.D., Partner, WRA, 2141 K Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20007.
Son: Kenneth E. Glassman, age 34.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Wellesley College, B.A., 1967.
University of Pennsylvania, M.A., 1971, Ph.D., 1975.
8. List all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs
that relate to the position for which you are nominated.
2002-2006, Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (Acting Chairman--Summer 2005)
1997-2002, Ernst & Young LLP
Principal (1999-2002) (In Risk Management Group and then in
Quantitative Economics and Statistics Group)
Director, Commercial Bank Risk Management (1997-1999)
1988-1997, Furash & Company
Managing Director (1993-1997)
Director of Research (1988-1993)
1986-1988, Senior Economist, Economists Incorporated
1977-1986, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Chief, Financial Reports Section (1982-1986)
Economist, Capital Markets Section (1981-1982)
Senior Economist, Office of Capital Markets Legislation,
U.S. Department of the Treasury (on loan from the FRB) (1980-
1981)
Special Assistant to Governor Henry C. Wallich (1979-1980)
Economist, Financial Structure Section (1977-1979)
1974-1977, Economics Supervisor, University of Cambridge,
England
1971-1974, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Senior Economist, Banking Structure Group (1974)
Economist (1972-1974)
Research Associate (1971-1972)
9. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: None.
10. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational or other institution within the last 5 years.
Hopkins House--A Center for Children and Their Families,
Member, Budget Committee (2000-2005); Board Member (2001-2005)
Institute of Banking and Finance of Lebanese-American
University, Byblos Campus, Advisory Committee Member (1998-
2002)
11. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.
Women in Housing and Finance, Inc., Member (Current), Board
Member (1987-1992), Treasurer (1989-1990)
RNC President's Club, Member since 1992
National Economists Club, Member (Current), Vice President for
Membership (1992-1993), Board Member (1993-1996)
Commission on Savings and Investment in America, Board Member
and Treasurer (1994-1996)
American Bankers Association, Retail Banking Digest, Editorial
Advisory Board Member (1994-1996)
Financial Markets and Institutions Policy Group, Dole For
President Campaign (1995-1996)
Porto Vecchio Condominium (Alexandria, VA). Chairman, Budget
Committee (1995-1996), Board Member and Treasurer (1996-1999)
National Association of Business Economists, Member (Current),
Publicity Director, Financial Roundtable (1997-1998),
Secretary-Treasurer (1998-1999)
E-Money, The Journal of Electronic Commerce for the Financial
Services Industry, Editorial Advisory Board Member (1998-1999)
Bank Administration Institute Certified Risk Professional
Certification Program, Executive Advisory Committee Member
(1999-2002)
To my knowledge, none of these organizations restricts
membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national
origin, age or handicap.
12. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? No.
13. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years.
My political contributions of $500 or more from July 2006 are as
follows:
1996, Republican National Committee, $1,000
1997, Friends of Alexandria, VA Republicans, $750
1997, Republican National Committee, $1,000
1998, Republican National Committee, $1,000
1999, Republican National Committee, $1,000
1999, Bush for President, $1,000
2000, Republican National Committee, $2,000
2000, Peavey for Mayor Committee (of Alexandria, VA), $2,000
(joint)
2001, Sen. John Warner Committee, $1,000
2001, Republican National Committee, $2,000
2002, Sen. John Warner Committee, $1,000
2002, Republican National Committee, $1,000
2003, Republican National Committee, $1,000
2003, Bush/Cheney 2004, Inc., $1,000
2004, Republican National Committee, $1,000
2004, Bush/Cheney 2004, Inc., $2,000 (joint)
2005, Republican National Committee, $1,000
2006, Republican National Committee, $1,000
14. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Wellesley College (Pendleton Scholar).
NDEA Fellowship, 1967-1970 (University of Pennsylvania).
Special Recognition Award for ``Outstanding Contribution to
Public Service,'' Women's National Republican Club, Inc., 83rd
Annual Presentation of Awards, April 26, 2004.
Industry Honoree for ``Significant Contributions to the
Financial Services Industry and Advancing the Interests of
Women,'' Women in Housing and Finance, Inc., 25th Anniversary
Gala, October 22, 2004.
15. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, and any speeches that you have
given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed: Please see Attachment A. *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The information referred to has been retained in Committee files.
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16. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a non-governmental capacity and
specify the subject matter of each testimony.
``Bank Lending to Small Business,'' Testimony before the U.S. House
of Representatives, Committee on Small Business, 104th Cong., 2d Sess.,
May 1, 1996.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers.
I vested in the Ernst & Young defined benefit pension plan on
January 16, 2002. The pension benefit is funded through a trust that is
independent of Ernst & Young, and is independently maintained and
managed. Depending on the age at which I start receiving the benefits
(age 62 or later), my monthly benefits will be about $1,000.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? None.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated: None.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity during the past 5 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy.
Prior to my appointment as Commissioner to the Securities and
Exchange Commission in January 2002, I conducted research studies on
public policy issues as a consultant to the Financial Services
Roundtable and the American Insurance Association.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
I will consult with ethics officials at the Department of Commerce
and, if appropriate, will divest myself of the conflicting interest,
recuse myself, or obtain a conflict of interest waiver if the interest
is not substantial.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? No.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
6. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? No.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
The Chairman. Well, thank you very much.
We're going to interrupt the proceedings now. Senator
Specter is here--and we knew he was coming--to introduce
Charles Snelling to us, I believe.
Senator Specter. Yes.
STATEMENT OF HON. ARLEN SPECTER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA
Senator Specter. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
And I appreciate your giving me the opportunity to speak now.
I would ask consent that my full statement be made a part
of the record, and I will be brief.
[The prepared statement of Senator Specter follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Arlen Specter, U.S. Senator from
Pennsylvania
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to introduce to the Committee Mr.
Charles D. Snelling as a nominee for reappointment to the Board of
Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Mr.
Snelling has exemplary aviation, business and leadership qualifications
that I believe make him a nominee worthy of confirmation.
Mr. Snelling is a licensed pilot with extensive experience in the
field of aviation. He has served aptly on the Board of Directors for
the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority since 2003, when he was
originally nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S.
Senate. Additionally, Mr. Snelling was appointed in 2000 by
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to be a member and chair of the
Pennsylvania Aviation Advisory Committee, on which he served until
2003. Prior to this service, Mr. Snelling served on the Board of
Governors of the Lehigh-Northmapton Airport Authority, which operates
the Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Mr. Snelling's business experience includes founding Cryo-Therm,
Inc., an applied thermodynamics company that pioneered a number of
energy conversion systems and processes that were utilized by both
military and industry and resulted in Mr. Snelling holding over 20
issued patents. Mr. Snelling has also achieved remarkable success in
the field of private venture capital, real estate development and
agriculture. He is founder and director of a family of venture funds
that is widely regarded as leading startup venture investors.
In addition to his aviation and business achievements, Mr. Snelling
is also a leading political and civic figure. In 1976, he was appointed
by President Ford to the President's Commission on Personnel
Interchange and in 1990 he was appointed to serve on the U.S. Small
Business Administration's National Advisory Committee. He has also
served as President of the City Council of Allentown (PA), Chairman of
the Republican Finance Committee of Pennsylvania and delegate to the
Republican National Convention. Presently, he serves on the
Pennsylvania Republican State Committee. Mr. Snelling's civic
experience includes service as a Life Trustee of Cedar Crest College in
Allentown, Pennsylvania; a Trustee of the Foundation for the
Advancement of Monetary Education; and Past President of the
Pennsylvania Society, to name a few.
Mr. Chairman, the Nation's air transportation system is a vital
asset that must be properly managed to ensure its safety and
efficiency. Our nation's airports, including those managed by the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, will face enormous
challenges meeting projected increases in congestion and passenger
demand in the near future. Mr. Snelling has the experience and
leadership qualities to help meet these challenges, and I support his
nomination and prompt confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Senator Specter. I'm delighted to recommend Charles
Snelling for the position on the Board of Directors of the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. I've known Charlie
Snelling for 25 years, and he has been an enormous success in
business. He founded his own company. He's a graduate of Lehigh
University. He has had public appointments in the past.
President Ford, in 1976, appointed him to the President's
Commission on Personnel Interchange. I didn't have the
opportunity to introduce him at that time, because I wasn't a
Senator. Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye were Senators.
They've been here a long time. And he served the Lehigh Valley
Hospital as a trustee. He was appointed by President Bush to
serve on the MWAA board in 2003. And he has a wonderful family
background. I know his wife very well, and his family. And he's
just the kind of a person we need to have a public job like
this. He could handle matters of much greater magnitude, but
I'm glad he's willing to accept this appointment. He's done
outstanding community work, and I know that had Senator
Santorum been here to recommended him, he would join me in my
praise.
And may I just add one sentence--nice to see Senator David
Pryor here. Nice to see Senator Mark Pryor here, as well.
[Laughter.]
Senator Specter. But Senator Pryor was elected in 1978, and
served three terms, and nice to have him here.
Senator Pryor. Thank you, sir.
Senator Specter. Mr. Chairman, again, I thank you for your
many courtesies.
The Chairman. Thank you very much.
And we will proceed with the hearing, then, with Dr. Sharon
Hays, who was introduced by Congressman Ehlers. Ms. Hays, we'd
be glad to have your statement.
Prepared Statement of the Chairman regarding the Background of
Sharon Hays
Dr. Sharon Hays was nominated on July 21, 2006 to be Associate
Director of the OSTP. Dr. Hays currently serves as Chief of Staff of
OSTP, and previously worked as Deputy Chief of Staff as well as Deputy
to the Associate Director for Technology. Before joining OSTP, she
served on the House Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Research,
where she was a Professional Staff Member and then Staff Director. Dr.
Hays received her bachelor's degree from the University of California
at Berkeley and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Stanford University. She
currently resides in Potomac Falls, VA.
STATEMENT OF DR. SHARON LYNN HAYS,
NOMINEE TO BE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR,
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Dr. Hays. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'd also like to introduce my husband, Michael, who's here
today, my parents, and both my mother- and father-in-law, as
well as a number of other family members.
The Chairman. We welcome you all.
Dr. Hays. Mr. Chairman, Co-Chairman, and Members of the
Committee, I am honored to appear before you today as the
President's nominee to be an Associate Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP. I am grateful for
the support of OSTP's Director, Dr. John Marburger, who is also
here today, and that of my husband and family.
As you know, OSTP plays important roles in providing
scientific and technological advice to the President and in
coordinating the science- and technology-related activities of
Federal agencies and departments. If confirmed, I look forward
to working with this committee and the rest of the Congress, as
well as with others in the executive branch and the scientific
community, to fulfill these duties.
I have a deeply rooted belief in the important role of the
science and technology enterprise in helping to make America
stronger by stimulating a vibrant economy, providing means for
securing the homeland and protecting our troops abroad,
improving the health and overall quality of life for all
citizens, understanding the world around us, and protecting the
environment.
My development as a scientist began very early and in a
somewhat unlikely place: the kitchen. My mother, armed with a
book entitled ``Science Experiments You Can Eat'' and her own
background in science, led our investigations into the workings
of nature that were fun and, at least in theory, edible. I am
extremely lucky to have parents who encouraged and cultivated
my natural curiosity. I developed that curiosity through my
further studies and work as a research scientist, including my
Ph.D. dissertation research on DNA damage-repair mechanisms.
After making the transition to the science policy arena, I have
gained experience both on the Hill and at OSTP.
I will now touch very briefly on several of what I view as
the highest priority science and technology-related issues
confronting our Nation.
First is the need to maintain balance in the Federal R&D
portfolio. OSTP plays an important role in guiding and helping
to shape the development of the Federal S&T budget, and I am
committed to working with you and others to develop and advance
sound, coordinated, and prioritized Federal budgets for science
and technology.
A second important priority will be continuing to mobilize
science in support of national challenges. Many important
challenges exist in areas such as health, competitiveness,
security, and the environment, and the combined effort of
multiple Federal agencies is often required to effectively
address them.
Third, there is still much work to do in improving math and
science education. I believe OSTP can play an important role in
responding to this challenge, working closely with the many
departments and agencies that play a role in educating the
Nation's students at all levels, from kindergarten through
graduate school and beyond.
In closing, I am honored by the President's nomination of
me for Associate Director, and I am humbled by the opportunity
to appear before you today. If I am confirmed, I will look
forward to playing a role in applying science and technology to
help address the many challenges that confront our Nation, and
to working closely with this Committee to do so.
Thank you very much.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Dr.
Hays follow:]
Prepared Statement of Dr. Sharon Lynn Hays, Nominee to be Associate
Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Mr. Chairman, Co-chairman, and Members of the Committee, I am
honored to appear before you today as the President's nominee to be an
Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
(OSTP).
As you know, OSTP plays important roles in providing scientific and
technological advice to the President and in coordinating the science
and technology related activities of Federal agencies and departments.
If confirmed, I look forward to working with this Committee and the
rest of the Congress, as well as with others in the Executive branch
and the scientific community, to fulfill these duties.
I have a deeply rooted belief in the important role of the science
and technology enterprise in helping to make America stronger by
stimulating a vibrant economy, providing means for securing the
homeland and protecting our troops abroad, improving the health and
overall quality of life for all citizens, understanding the world
around us, and protecting the environment. Ensuring the strength of
this highly diverse and inter-dependent enterprise and its effective
application toward the goals mentioned above is a shared responsibility
in which OSTP has an important role.
Science and technology have played a critical part in our Nation's
history and development. The Federal Government's role in supporting
the U.S. scientific enterprise began in earnest during, and was
solidified in the period after, World War II. Thanks in large part to
the vision of Vannevar Bush, set forth in his 1945 report to the
President entitled Science: The Endless Frontier, Federal funding
became available for research and development performed in the Nation's
colleges and universities. At the same time, new Federal agencies were
formed that incorporated science as a central part of their missions.
The results of this strategic investment have been profound: federally
funded research is credited with discoveries that have transformed
medicine, modernized agriculture, created the information technology
revolution, enabled development of an advanced transportation
infrastructure, and fueled many other advances. Technological
innovation, driven by science, is widely recognized as having a major
impact on economic growth.
Science is an increasingly integral and important part of the
Federal Government, as evidenced in part by recent record-breaking
budgets for federally-funded research. The President's FY 2007 budget
requested $137 billion for research and development--the highest level
ever. The American Competitiveness Initiative, announced in the
President's State of the Union address, includes a significant new
Federal research agenda. With this increasing Federal commitment there
is an ever-greater need for coordination among the Federal departments
and agencies that participate in this large and complex research and
development effort. In addition, science and technology are playing
increasingly important roles in societal decision-making and in
informing policy choices.
Congress long ago recognized the importance of high level
coordination of the Federal research and development effort, as well as
the need to ensure that accurate and timely advice regarding science
and technology is readily available to the President. In 1976, Congress
created OSTP to perform these functions. The office is currently led by
OSTP Director Dr. John H. Marburger, III, and is organized around two
central divisions--science and technology--each of which is led by an
Associate Director. If confirmed, I will lead OSTP's Science Division.
In doing so, I would work side-by-side with the incumbent Associate
Director for Technology and report directly to Dr. Marburger.
OSTP's current organization has helped reduce stovepipes within the
office and create a highly matrixed and collegial organization that
takes advantage of OSTP's talented work force--a work force that
includes experts from a wide breadth of scientific and engineering
disciplines. As a small office with a broad mandate, OSTP's work force
is augmented by rotating personnel from Federal departments and
agencies, which facilitates the continued infusion of technical
expertise and helps strengthen existing intra-governmental
relationships. Just as there is rarely a bright line of demarcation
between the scientific and the technological aspects of the issues upon
which OSTP works, neither are there restrictive boundaries on the OSTP
personnel who work in the two divisions, and OSTP's Science and
Technology Divisions work closely together on many issues.
One of OSTP's most effective tools in performing its coordination
function is the National Science and Technology Council, which was
established by Executive Order in 1993. This Cabinet-level Council is
the principal means within the executive branch to coordinate science
and technology policy across the diverse entities that make up the
Federal research and development enterprise. The work of the Council,
which OSTP manages, is organized under four primary committees:
Science, Technology, Environment and Natural Resources, and Homeland
and National Security. Each of these committees oversees subcommittees
and working groups that are focused on different areas of science and
technology and that work to coordinate related activities across the
Federal Government. If confirmed, I will co-chair the Science Committee
and the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
If I am confirmed, I will look forward to tackling the diverse set
of science and technology related issues confronting our Nation. The
following are several of what I view as the highest priority areas.
Maintaining balance in the Federal R&D portfolio. In keeping with
OSTP's statutory responsibilities, the office plays an important role
in guiding and helping to shape the development of the Federal S&T
budget. If confirmed, I will work with this Committee and other
stakeholders to develop and advance sound, coordinated, and prioritized
Federal budgets for science and technology. The development and
ultimate enactment of agency budgets that reflect the President's
American Competitiveness Initiative would be one of my highest
priorities. At the same time, I will also work to ensure development of
department and agency budgets that meet other important national
priorities.
The scientific achievements of the research community have opened
new avenues of inquiry at a seemingly exponential rate of growth.
Without a doubt, there are far more good ideas and promising research
opportunities than Federal funding can realistically support. This will
continue to demand increasingly difficult and important prioritization
decisions. Recognizing the importance of working hand-in-hand with
stakeholders to address this challenge, I will, if confirmed, continue
to build an open and active dialog with this Committee and others
within the Congress, work to maintain OSTP's close and productive
relationship with the Office of Management and Budget, and engage the
broader scientific community in the discussion of priorities.
Mobilizing science in support of national challenges. Science plays
a critical role in helping to solve some of the Nation's (and the
world's) most difficult challenges. This role is often two-fold. First,
science can help define the dimensions and articulate the complexities
of a particular problem, an often-critical step in policymaking.
Second, science often provides the impetus for an actual technological
solution. Many important challenges exist--in areas such as health,
competitiveness, security, and the environment--and the combined effort
of multiple Federal agencies is often required to effectively address
them. If confirmed, I will play an active role in helping to apply the
coordinated efforts of Federal departments and agencies to address
these challenges. Understanding the needs of policymakers as well as
the possible contributions of the scientific enterprise requires
interaction with both communities, a role that OSTP is well suited for.
Improving math and science education. There is still much work to
do in improving math and science education. Initiatives such as No
Child Left Behind have provided an important foundation for the
improvement of our Nation's K-12 schools. We continue to learn more
about how students learn, and what actually works in the classroom.
Working to identify and develop mechanisms to help ensure that these
findings work their way into the Nation's classrooms will be a high
priority of mine, if I am confirmed. I believe OSTP can play an
important role in responding to this challenge, working closely with
the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education, and the
many other departments and agencies that play a role in educating the
Nation's students at all levels--from kindergarten through graduate
school and beyond.
In closing, I am honored that the President nominated me to be an
OSTP Associate Director and I am humbled by the opportunity to appear
before you today. I believe that my training and experience as a
research scientist, my work in the policy arena--both on Capitol Hill
and in the Executive Office of the President--and my proven leadership
abilities make me well-suited for this position. I am excited by the
opportunity, if I am confirmed, to play an important role in applying
science and technology to help address the many challenges that
confront our Nation. I will look forward to working closely with this
Committee to do so. Thank you.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Sharon Lynn
Hays.
2. Position to which nominated: Associate Director, Office of
Science and Technology Policy.
3. Date of Nomination: July 21, 2006.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: information not released to the public.
Office: Office of Science and Technology Policy Executive
Office of the President, New Executive Office Building,
Washington, DC 20502.
5. Date and Place of Birth: May 29, 1966; Camp Pendleton, CA.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Michael Scott Baker, Paramedic Supervisor, District of
Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
No children.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
B.A., Molecular Biology, University of California at Berkeley,
1989.
Ph.D., Biochemistry, Stanford University, 1997.
8. List all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs
that relate to the position for which you are nominated.
Managerial:
Chief of Staff, Office of Science and Technology Policy, July
2005-July 2006.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Science and Technology Policy,
June 2005-July 2005.
Deputy to the Associate Director for Technology, Office of
Science and Technology Policy, August 2002-June 2005.
Staff Director, Research Subcommittee, Committee on Science,
U.S. House of Representatives, February 2001-August 2002.
Non-managerial:
Professional Staff Member, Committee on Science, U.S. House of
Representatives, June 1999-February 2001.
Legislative Assistant, Office of Representative Vernon Ehlers,
U.S. House of Representatives, January 1999-February 1999.
AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
Congressional Science Fellow, Office of Representative Vernon
Ehlers, U.S. House of Representatives, September 1997-December
1998.
Graduate student/researcher, Stanford University Department of
Biochemistry, September 1991-May 1997.
Research assistant/laboratory technician, University of
Southern California Department of Molecular Biology, July 1989-
August 1991.
9. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: None.
10. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational or other institution within the last 5 years.
DOGS-East, Inc.
Secretary, August 2003-July 2004.
President, August 2004-July 2006.
Women in Aerospace, Board of Directors, January 2003-December
2004.
American Association for the Advancement of Science,
Congressional Fellowships Advisory Board, Advisory Board
member, January 2002-Present.
11. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.
DOGS-East, Inc.
Member (search and rescue dog handler), November 2000-
Present (currently on leave of absence).
Secretary, August 2003-July 2004.
President, August 2004-July 2006.
Women in Aerospace, Board of Directors, January 2003-December
2004.
American Association for the Advancement of Science,
Congressional Fellowships Advisory Board, Advisory Board
member, January 2002-Present.
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Member
since 1997 (membership was not continuous, has currently
lapsed).
12. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? No.
13. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years: None.
14. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
National Institutes of Health training grant recipient while at
Stanford University.
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Congressional Science Fellow (1997-1998).
2005 PLEN Mentor award, Public Leadership Education Network.
15. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, and any speeches that you have
given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.
Scientific Articles and Presentations:
Studies of the interaction between Rad52 protein and the yeast
single-stranded DNA binding protein RPA. Journal of Molecular
and Cellular Biology, 1998.
Protein Interactions in Yeast Double Strand Break Repair,
thesis dissertation, 1997.
Complex formation in yeast double-strand break repair:
participation of Rad51, Rad52, Rad55, and Rad57 proteins.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1995.
Presentation at scientific meeting on DNA processing, Avignon,
France. October, 1995.
Absence of a role for DNA polymerase II in SOS-induced
translesion bypass of phi X174. Journal of Bacteriology, 1993.
DNA polymerase II is encoded by the DNA damage-inducible dinA
gene of Escherichia coli. Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences, 1990.
Enhancement of Escherichia coli plasmid and chromosomal
recombination by the Ref function of bacteriophage P1.
Genetics, 1989.
Other Speeches and Articles:
From Lab Rat to Policy Wonk, Minority Science Programs seminar
program, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA. June,
2006.
Science and Technology in the White House: the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, seminar for West Point cadets,
West Point, NY, May, 2006.
From Lab Rat to Policy Wonk, talk at Society for Neuroscience
Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, November, 2005.
Careers in Science Policy: Life after the AAAS Fellowship, talk
at AAAS Fellows orientation, Washington, DC, September, 2005.
Nanotechnology: A Policy Perspective, speech at Surface
Finishing Industry Council meeting, Washington, DC, May, 2005.
The National Nanotechnology Initiative, speech at
Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry workshop,
Landsdowne, VA, November, 2004.
Recent Nanotechnology Legislation, talk at NNI Research
Directions II Workshop, Washington. DC, September, 2004.
From Lab Rat to Bureaucrat: a Former Scientist's Perspective on
Working in the Policy Arena, speech at Computational Science
Graduate Fellows Conference, Washington, DC, July, 2004.
The Intersection of Biology and Nanotechnology: A Policy
Perspective, Florida Association of Colleges and Universities
meeting, Sarasota, Florida, June, 2004.
Federal Manufacturing R&D: Comments on Emerging Initiatives,
talk at the National Research Council Board on Manufacturing
meeting, Washington, DC, April, 2004.
The National Nanotechnology Initiative: The Federal
Perspective, speech at the AVS meeting, Baltimore, MD,
November, 2003.
Reinvigorating High-End Computing R&D, speech at the CRA
Workshop on High-End Computing, Washington, DC, June, 2003.
The Federal Investment in Nanotechnology: Supporting the Next
Industrial Revolution, speech to Albany Nanotechnology
Symposium, Albany, NY, September, 2002.
From the Lab to the Hill: A Scientist's Perspective on Working
for Congress, speech at Computational Science Graduate Fellows
Conference, Washington, DC. July, 2001.
The Future of Graduate Education, speech at AAAS Annual
meeting, Anaheim, CA, January 1999.
Towards a New National Science Policy, speech at AAAS Annual
meeting, Philadelphia, PA, February 1998.
At the Edge of a New Frontier: A Profile of the Stanford
University Biomedical Ph.D. Class of 1996, published by BioMASS
(student group), 1996.
Commencement speech, Stanford University School of Medicine,
Stanford, CA, June, 1996.
Second Opinion (guest editorial column), Stanford Medicine
Magazine, 1996.
This list may not be comprehensive.
16. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a non-governmental capacity and
specify the subject matter of each testimony: None.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers: None.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain.
As per my ethics agreement, I plan to remain a member of DOGS-East,
Inc. (though I have no agreement or commitment to do so).
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which, could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
My ethics agreement addresses a potential conflict of interest with
my service on the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Congressional Fellowships Advisory Board, and clarifies my involvement
with DOGS-East, Inc.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated.
While I foresee no conflict of interest, I have stock holdings in
Sun Microsystems, Connectics Corporation, and AIM Energy Fund. All
three fall well below the Office of Government Ethics' de minimus
threshold, and the AIM Energy Fund is also an ``excepted investment
fund.'' My husband holds stock in Calypso Wireless, Inc. Again, this
holding falls well below the de minimus threshold.
5. Describe any activity during the past 5 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy.
I have worked to influence various legislative provisions as part
of my duties as a staffer in the congressional offices in which I have
worked as well as at the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
My ethics agreement and SF-278 fully disclose potential conflicts
of interest and articulate how I will deal with them, should they
arise.
Specifically, regarding my non-Federal affiliations, if confirmed I
will resign my position on the Advisory Board for the Congressional
Science Fellows Program of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science.
I will continue to serve as a member (search and rescue dog
handler) of DOGS-East, Inc., and may again serve on its Board of
Directors in the future, for which I will not receive any compensation.
I will not participate personally and substantially in any particular
matter that will have a direct and predictable effect on the financial
interests of this organization, unless I first obtain a written waiver.
I also will not participate in any fundraising activity for this
organization.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain.
My divorce from my ex-husband was handled in civil court in New
Jersey.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? No.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination.
I believe my background as a research scientist, combined with my
policy experience in both the Legislative and executive branches, make
me well-qualified for the position of Associate Director for Science in
the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
I have a deep interest in issues at the intersection of science and
policy. I firmly believe that science and technology play a critical
role in our Nation's success, and that a strong scientific and
technological enterprise fuels the discoveries and innovations that
keep America secure and economically strong, and that improve the
quality of life for all. I look forward to working with the Committee
to maintain and strengthen U.S. world leadership in science and
technology.
6. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? If so, please explain.
I have experienced one informal EEO complaint, which involved a
personnel matter and which was resolved in the counseling process, with
no formal complaint filed.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
The Chairman. Thank you.
Senator Inouye, do you have a comment?
STATEMENT OF HON. DANIEL K. INOUYE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Senator Inouye. Thank you very much.
Senator Rockefeller wanted very much to be here at this
hearing, but, as you know, he's Vice Chairman of the
Intelligence Committee, and he had to excuse himself. However,
he has asked me to submit his letter to the Committee with his,
as I quote, ``unequivocal support'' of Senator Pryor's
nomination. And, without objection, may I request this?
The Chairman. I don't know, maybe I should object to that.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. Without objection.
[The prepared statement of Senator Rockefeller follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. John D. Rockefeller IV,
U.S. Senator from West Virginia
I very much regret that I cannot be with you today to welcome our
former colleague and my dear friend Senator David Pryor to the
Committee on the occasion of his nomination to the board of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). I am required to be at an
important Senate Intelligence Committee meeting, or I would certainly
have arranged to be with you all today to share my unequivocal and
resounding endorsement of Senator David Pryor's nomination. The Senate
has sorely missed his reasoned voice and tenacious legislating since he
retired. I have missed him personally, and professionally, but know
that in his post-Senate career he has continued to find ways to serve
the people of his state and this Nation that he so loves. This
nomination is another opportunity for him to contribute and the
Commerce Committee should report his nomination and the full Senate
should speedily confirm him for this post.
I am absolutely confident that any of my colleagues who had the
distinct pleasure of serving with Senator David Pryor already join me
in steadfast support of his nomination. He will serve the CPB board
with his characteristic integrity and bring his deep commitment to the
many issues involved in public broadcasting. I have no doubt that he
will master the intricacies of these issues in short order. Senator
Pryor always provides a quiet leadership and has demonstrated a unique
ability to guide matters of public policy with a seasoned hand. The CPB
board is wise to take advantage of Senator Pryor's impressive talent
and is sure to see an immediate benefit from his membership.
I write only to put my endorsement in the official hearing record.
I believe that any Senator who did not have the privilege of knowing
Senator Pryor during his tenure in this body still knows how very much
he is revered and loved, but I wanted to say so for the formal record.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting needs Senator Pryor's
leadership as it faces the challenges of this new century and to
fulfill its very critical mission.
Senator Inouye. I'd like to commend and congratulate and
thank Senator Pryor for his many, many years of public
service--Congressman, Senator, Ambassador, and now Director.
You've done very well, and I think you've instilled a little to
your son, sitting here.
And, with that, I'd like to yield the rest of my time to
him, because he told me he's got a whole lot of questions.
[Laughter.]
Senator Inouye. Thank you very much.
Senator David Pryor. Do we get to cross-examine, here?
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. Senator Pryor?
STATEMENT OF HON. MARK PRYOR,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS
Senator Mark Pryor. Mr. Chairman, I think every son looks
forward to the moment when they can finally get their father
under oath.
[Laughter.]
Senator Mark Pryor. And the irony of this does not escape
my brother and I, because we remember our father, several times
when during our teenage years, would tell us to turn the radio
down.
[Laughter.]
Senator Mark Pryor. And--now, Mr. Chairman, of course, I
think that David Pryor will do a fantastic job on the
corporation board. And, as I mentioned yesterday, I'll recuse
myself from the vote, but I'm very, very appreciative for you
moving this nomination and having the hearing today. And I
don't have any questions.
Thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you very much.
I am going to excerpt from the memos we had prepared before
the hearing, a paragraph for each nominee today, and put that
ahead of the statements that you are making.
I have personally reviewed all the nominees, and I have no
questions of these nominees. I think you're all very
excellently qualified for the position in which you've agreed
to serve.
Do you have any questions, Senator?
Senator Inouye. I'd like to associate myself with your
statement of support. I've reviewed their papers, and we are
fortunate to have all of you.
The Chairman. As two Senators who really have had a great
interest in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, I can
assure you we'll maintain that interest. We look forward to
working with the two of you who will go there. And we have had
similar feelings about the Under Secretary of Economic Affairs
and the directorship of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy. The Nation is privileged that you are willing to serve
in those positions. So, we'll be pleased to try and move these
nominations as quickly as possible, and we thank you all for
coming.
And we'll turn to the next panel, if that's all right,
unless any of you wanted to cross-examine us.
[Laughter.]
Senator David Pryor. Thank you very much.
[Pause.]
The Chairman. We'll now turn to the second panel. We have
before us Colonel Calvin Scovel, of Virginia, to be Inspector
General of the Department of Transportation; the Honorable
Charles Snelling, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board
of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority;
and Mr. Collister ``Terry'' Johnson, to be Administrator of the
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
Gentlemen, we'll proceed in that order, if that's
agreeable. And, Colonel, we're pleased to have your statement.
Prepared Statement of the Chairman regarding the Background of
Calvin L. Scovel III
Calvin Scovel was nominated on July 13, 2006, to be Inspector
General of the Department of Transportation. Having served almost 29
years of active service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Colonel Scovel is
currently serving as senior judge on the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court
of Criminal Appeals. Prior to this appointment, he was Chief Defense
Counsel of the Marine Corps, and has also served as Assistant Judge
Advocate General of the Navy for Military Justice. Colonel Scovel
received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, graduated from Duke University School of Law, and received
his Master's degree from the U.S. Naval War College. He currently
resides in Dumfries, Virginia.
STATEMENT OF CALVIN L. SCOVEL III, NOMINEE TO BE INSPECTOR
GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mr. Scovel. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Co-Chairman Inouye.
It's an honor for me to appear before you today as President
Bush's nominee to serve as Inspector General of the Department
of Transportation.
I would like to thank former Secretary Mineta for his
expression of confidence, and the Committee, for considering my
nomination expeditiously. If confirmed, I look forward to
working closely with the new Secretary and this committee on
issues related to the vital work performed by the Department.
I also want to thank my wife, Cathy, and our sons, Carey
and Thomas, for their love and unfailing support. They couldn't
be here with me this afternoon. But I would also like to thank
my parents, who passed away some years ago. They went to
extraordinary lengths to provide my sisters and me with every
opportunity as we were growing up, and often told us how proud
they were of us. I'm grateful for their love and encouragement.
During 29 years of active military service, I have worked
extensively with, and for IGs. As a prosecutor, defense
counsel, and judge, I handled criminal and administrative cases
that arose from IG investigations. As a legal advisor for
senior military commanders and the Secretary of the Navy, I
evaluated IG reports and assisted in implementing their
recommendations. For a short period of time, I served as the
first counsel to the Inspector General of the Marine Corps.
My experience impressed upon me the fundamental importance
of the IG's role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and
abuse, and reviewing Federal programs to enhance their
efficiency, economy, and effectiveness. I'm keenly aware that
the latter aspect of the IG's statutory role, evaluating how
agency policy decisions are implemented, requires an IG to
strike a delicate balance. He or she must tread carefully so as
not to become a policymaker.
When an IG participates inappropriately in the overall
process of policy formulation and execution, the independence
and objectivity that are critical to successful performance of
the IG's statutory mission may be compromised.
In discussions with DOT's leaders during the nomination
process, I learned that they fully appreciate and support the
role played by an independent IG. If confirmed, I will strive
always to maintain open and frank communications with the
Secretary and senior DOT staff, and to respect the necessary
boundary between IG and policymakers.
An IG also has a direct communication channel with the
members and staff of the Congress, a link that is especially
important to the essential work performed by the oversight
committees. If confirmed, I will endeavor to be responsive to
you on all matters in which the IG's fact-finding capabilities
may assist you.
I wish to comment on the IG staff at DOT. I believe that
the IG's work product is valued and respected in the
Department, and credit for that achievement is largely due to
the exceptional caliber and commitment of the highly
professional auditors, investigators, and analysts on the
staff. If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with
these men and women to continue to produce top-quality,
unbiased audits, investigations, and evaluations.
I've been in the service of our country since age 18, when
I joined a Marine Corps Officer Commissioning Program as a
college freshman. My military duties have taken me all over the
world, including assignments as senior legal advisor to the
commander of Marine amphibious forces in the first Persian Gulf
war and on the staffs of the Secretary of the Navy and
Commandant of the Marine Corps. I was in the Pentagon on
September 11, 2001.
Several young people who are important in my life are
making similar commitments to public service. My son Carey is
now working for the TSA while he awaits assignment in the Peace
Corps. My son Thomas is a plebe at the Naval Academy. My
nephew, Nate Rawlings, is a 2004 graduate of Princeton. He now
serves as an Army combat engineer officer, and today he is
hunting improvised explosive devices in Baghdad.
As my military service draws to a close, as required by
law, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve our
country in a civilian capacity, and I'm honored to be
considered for this important position. The day will surely
come when I must relinquish the privilege of serving our
country, but with a nation at war and my own sons and nephew
entering public service, I hope that day has not yet arrived.
If confirmed as Inspector General, I pledge to work closely
with the Congress and the Department's leaders in building a
cooperative, productive, and respectful relationship.
Thank you for considering my nomination, and I will be
pleased to respond to your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of
Colonel Scovel follow:]
Prepared Statement of Calvin L. Scovel III, Nominee to be
Inspector General, Department of Transportation
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Co-Chairman Inouye, and members of the
Committee. It is an honor for me to appear before you today as
President Bush's nominee to serve as Inspector General of the
Department of Transportation. If confirmed, I look forward to working
closely with this Committee on issues related to the vital work
performed by the Department.
During almost 29 years of active military service, I have worked
extensively with and for IGs. As a prosecutor, defense counsel, and
judge, I handled criminal and administrative cases that arose from IG
investigations. As a legal advisor for senior military commanders and
the Secretary of the Navy, I evaluated IG reports and assisted in
implementing their recommendations. For a short period of time, I
served as the first counsel to the Inspector General of the Marine
Corps. My experience impressed upon me the fundamental importance of
the IG's role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and
reviewing Federal programs to enhance their efficiency, economy, and
effectiveness.
I am keenly aware that the latter aspect of the IG's statutory
mission--evaluating how agency policy decisions are implemented--
requires an IG to strike a delicate balance. He or she must tread
carefully so as not to become a policymaker. When an IG participates in
the overall process of policy formulation and execution, the
independence and objectivity that are critical to successful
performance of the IG's statutory mission will be compromised. In
discussions with DOT's leaders during the nomination process, I learned
that they fully appreciate and support the role played by an
independent IG. If confirmed, I will strive always to maintain open and
frank communications with the Secretary and senior DOT staff and to
respect the necessary boundary between IG and policymaker.
An IG also has a direct communication channel with the Members and
staff of the Congress, a link that is especially important to the
essential work performed by the oversight Committees. If confirmed, I
will endeavor to be responsive to you on all matters in which the IG's
fact-finding capabilities may assist you.
I wish to comment on the IG staff at DOT. I believe that the OIG's
work product is valued and respected in the Department, and credit for
that achievement is largely due to the exceptional caliber and
commitment of the highly professional auditors, investigators, and
analysts on the staff. If confirmed, I look forward to working closely
with these men and women to continue to produce top quality, unbiased
audits, investigations, and evaluations.
As a career public servant, I am honored to be considered for this
important position and, as my military service draws to a close,
grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve our country. If
confirmed as Inspector General, I pledge to work closely with the
Congress and the Department's leaders in building a cooperative,
productive, and respectful relationship. Thank you for considering my
nomination, and I will be pleased to respond to your questions.
______
A. Biographical Information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Calvin Loren
Scovel.
2. Position to which nominated: Inspector General, Department of
Transportation.
3. Date of nomination: July 13, 2006.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: information not released to the public.
Office: U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals,
Building 111, Suite 1000, 716 Sicard Street, SE, Washington
Navy Yard, DC 20374-5047.
5. Date and place of birth: June 24, 1952; Fairfield, Iowa.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Cathy G. Scovel, Adult Services Librarian I (on-call),
Prince William County (VA) Public Library, Chinn Park Regional
Library, Woodbridge, VA.
Children: Carroll B. Scovel, age 22; Thomas G. Scovel, age 19.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
A.B., 1973, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
J.D., 1977, Duke University School of Law.
M.A., 1993, U.S. Naval War College.
8. List all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs
that relate to the position for which you are nominated.
Senior Judge, U.S. Navy Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals,
Washington, DC.
Chief Defense Counsel of the Marine Corps, Washington, DC.
Assistant Judge Advocate General of the Navy (Military
Justice), Washington, DC.
Provost Marshal and Commanding Officer, Security Battalion,
Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA.
Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Corps Combat Development Command,
Quantico, VA.
Counsel to Deputy Naval Inspector General/Inspector General of
the Marine Corps, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington,
DC.
Head, Research and Civil Law Branch, Judge Advocate Division,
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, DC.
Special Assistant for Military Law, Assistant Secretary of the
Navy, The Pentagon.
Staff Judge Advocate, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade,
Norfolk, VA (deployed to Southwest Asia and Norway).
Department chair and instructor, criminal procedure and
evidence, Naval Justice School Newport, RI.
Prosecutor or defense counsel in approximately 250 courts-
martial.
9. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years.
Adjunct faculty member, Defense Institute of International Legal
Studies, 1999-2004. (Led instruction teams on rule of law and civilian
control of the military for senior civilian and military officials in
Honduras, Mauritius, Albania, and Serbia.)
10. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational or other institution within the last 5 years.
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 964, Woodbridge, VA. Former
Assistant Scoutmaster and current Troop Committee member.
First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, Woodbridge, VA.
Endowment Committee member.
Phillips Exeter Academy, Class of 1970. Former class president
and current assistant class agent.
11. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.
New Hampshire Bar Association, 1977-Present, member.
District of Columbia Bar, 1994-Present, member.
Marine Corps Association, 1986-Present, member.
Delta Upsilon Fraternity, 1971-Present, member and UNC chapter
president in 1973. (Membership restricted to males.)
Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 1972-Present, life member.
Military Officers Association of America, 2003-Present, life
member.
Boy Scouts of America, 1960-Present, former Assistant
Scoutmaster and current Troop Committee member, Troop 964,
Woodbridge, VA. (Youth membership restricted to males.)
First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, Woodbridge, VA,
1995-present, Endowment Committee member.
Phillips Exeter Academy, Class of 1970, 1970-Present, former
class president and current assistant class agent. (The student
body was all-male when I attended from 1966 to 1970. The school
became coeducational in 1970.)
12. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? No.
13. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years: None.
14. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Phillips Exeter Academy, scholarship recipient.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, John Motley
Morehead Scholarship recipient.
Duke University School of Law, scholarship recipient.
Military awards: Legion of Merit (three awards); Meritorious
Service Medal (two awards); Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
Medal (three awards); Combat Action Ribbon (Persian Gulf War);
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; other unit,
campaign, and service awards.
15. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, any speeches that you have given
on topics relevant to the position for which you have been nominated.
Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise instructed.
I have served as a judge on the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of
Criminal Appeals since August 2004. My duties involve the appellate
review of Navy and Marine Corps courts-martial. I have drafted opinions
in over 80 cases. They were reviewed by the other judges of my three-
judge panel and were issued as the decision of the court in those
cases.
16. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a non-governmental capacity and
specify the subject matter of each testimony: None.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers: None.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? No.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
I currently serve as class agent for the Class of 1970, Phillips
Exeter Academy. If confirmed, I will resign this position. Please refer
to the opinion letter of the Deputy General Counsel.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity in the past 5 years in which you have been
engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy: None.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
Please refer to the opinion letter of the Deputy General Counsel.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain.
Member of class in suit involving initial public offering (IPO) of
Ariba and Commerce One (business-to-business interne sales companies)
stock. I do not currently own either stock. Settlement of the suit is
pending and, based on the number of shares I once owned. I expect any
payment to me to be small. In Re Initial Public Offering Securities
Litigation, 21 MC 92 (SAS), 01 Civ. 2359, U.S. District Court,
(S.D.N.Y.).
Was a member of class in suit involving allegedly defective Mercury
outboard motors. Case was settled in August 2004, which resulted in an
extension of the warranty on my outboard motor. Lazo v. Mercury Marine,
Case No. 03-12354 CA27, Circuit Court, 11th Judicial District, Miami-
Dade County, FL.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? No.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
6. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? No.
d. relationship with the committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
The Chairman. Thank you very much, Colonel.
We'll turn next to Charles Snelling, to be the member of
the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports
Authority.
Prepared Statement of the Chairman regarding the Background of
Charles Snelling
Charles Snelling was nominated on June 5, 2006, to be a Member of
the BOD of MWAA. Mr. Snelling has been self-employed since 1955 and
founded The Snelling Company, a high-tech business that was sold in the
1970s. Mr. Snelling served as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Aviation
Advisory Commission from 2000 to 2003 and was first confirmed to serve
on the BOD of MWAA in December 2003. He has also served on the Board of
Governors of the Lehigh Valley International Airport. He attended
Muhlenberg College and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Engineering
Mechanics from Lehigh University. He currently resides in Fogelsville,
Pennsylvania.
Mr. Snelling?
STATEMENT OF HON. CHARLES DARWIN SNELLING, NOMINEE
TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIRPORTS AUTHORITY
Mr. Snelling. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Senator.
May I take the liberty of introducing my daughter, Penny,
who's a lawyer in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and my granddaughter,
Jordan, who's a sophomore at the University of Richmond.
The Chairman. Yes.
Mr. Snelling. And I have a whole gaggle of supporters from
MWAA, including the president and the secretary of the board.
Having said so, I'm Charles Snelling, the President's
nominee to a second term as a member of the Metropolitan
Washington Airports Authority board of directors. I am
delighted to appear before you again at a confirmation hearing,
an opportunity that not many have, let alone twice for the same
position.
I was last here on September 2003, when I was nominated to
complete the unexpired term of the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta,
who had resigned from the board of MWAA in July of 2000 when he
was appointed as Secretary of Commerce. That term expired in
May 2006.
I have since served as a carryover status, as contemplated
by our compact legislation. Thus, by now I have had a great
deal of experience with the Authority.
I am one of three directors appointed by the President. The
three of us are proud to be amongst the most active members of
the 13-member board. I have served, since January 2005, as
chairman of the finance committee. My prior experience in this
area on the board of Lehigh Valley Hospital, a billion-dollar
charity, has proved most helpful.
The Authority's finance committee has been moving the
Authority to innovative funding approaches that have saved the
Authority considerable financing costs. The Authority's
financial strength was one of the key reasons that the
Commonwealth of Virginia decided, last year, to transfer the
Dulles Toll Road to us, along with the responsibility of
constructing the Dulles Silver Line Metrorail extension.
Authority staff is currently making final plans for the
transfer, with the expectation that it can be effective in
January 2007. The proposal includes a complex funding package
for the rail lines, with support provided by special tax
districts along the Dulles corridor, as well as toll revenues
collected by the Authority, completely separate from aviation
revenues and functions.
The project is an exciting one, and, in my view, will prove
beneficial to the entire Metropolitan Washington region. The
rail line should open in 2012, the same year that my term as
the director would expire.
I believe it is critical to set up a new organization
within the Authority to operate the toll road as soon as
possible. At the same time, it is absolutely critical that we
do not lose our focus on our principal function, providing
world-class air service for the people of the Greater
Washington community and for everyone who wishes to travel
here.
I can report to you that we are very much on top of
continuing traffic growth at Dulles. As you may know, we got
some breathing room last year, after a record 2005, when
Independence Air drove annual passenger numbers up to 27
million at Dulles. About a year after its bankruptcy, traffic
at Dulles has just about returned to prior levels. 2006 already
exceeds all prior years, other than 2005, and prospects for the
future are for substantial growth.
Thus, we are under way building a new fourth runway at
Dulles, and are drilling tunnels for the automated underground
people-mover that will open in 2009. On the agenda is the
schedule for the next midfield terminal building.
If I am confirmed, it will be my responsibility, with the
finance committee, to lead the financing of these projects. The
Authority now goes to the financial market several times a year
to take the best advantage of shifting rates. We have more than
3 billion in revenue bonds outstanding, and are prepared for an
additional 400 million this fall. We enjoy an excellent
reputation with the rating agencies, and enjoy some of the
highest ratings in the airport industry.
Mr. Chairman, it's almost exactly 20 years since the
Congress agreed to turn Dulles and National over to the
Metropolitan Washington Airports--to the independent
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. In my opinion, this
has proved to be most wise and a beneficial decision.
I look forward to continuing the Authority's excellent
record as we face the challenges of a constantly changing
industry.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for considering my renomination to
the board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. I
will be very happy to answer any questions that anyone might
have.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Snelling follow:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Charles Darwin Snelling, Nominee to be a
Member of the Board of Directors, Metropolitan Washington Airports
Authority
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee:
I am Charles Snelling, the President's nominee to a second term as
a Member of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of
Directors. I am delighted to appear before you again at a confirmation
hearing, an opportunity not many have, let alone twice for the same
position.
I was last here in September of 2003, when I was nominated to
complete the unexpired term of the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, who had
resigned from the Board in July 2000 when he was appointed Secretary of
Commerce. That term expired in May 2006; I have since served in a
``carryover'' status, as contemplated by our compact legislation. Thus,
by now I have had a great deal of experience with the Authority.
I am one of the three Directors appointed by the President; the
three of us are proud to be among the most active members of the 13-
member Board. I have served since January 2005 as Chairman of the
Finance Committee. My prior experience in this area, on the Board of
the Lehigh Valley Hospital, a billion dollar charity, has proved most
helpful. The Authority Finance Committee has been moving the Authority
to innovative funding approaches that have saved the Authority
considerable financing costs.
The Authority's financial strength was one of the key reasons the
Commonwealth of Virginia decided last year to transfer the Dulles Toll
Road to us, along with the responsibility of constructing the Dulles
``Silver Line'' Metrorail extension. Authority staff is currently
making final plans for the transfer, with the expectation that it can
be effective in January 2007. The proposal includes a complex funding
package for the rail line, with support provided by special tax
districts along the Dulles corridor, as well as toll revenues collected
by the Authority, completely separate from aviation revenues.
The project is an exciting one, and in my view will prove
beneficial to the entire Metropolitan Washington region. The rail line
should open in 2012, the same year my term as a Director would expire.
I believe it is critical to set up a new organization within the
Authority to operate the toll road as soon as possible. At the same
time, It is absolutely critical that we do not lose our focus on our
principal function, providing world class air service both for the
people of the greater Washington community and for everyone who wishes
to travel here.
I can report to you that we are very much on top of continuing
traffic growth at Dulles. As you may know, we got some breathing room
this year after a record 2005, when Independence Air drove annual
passenger numbers up to 27 million. About a year after its bankruptcy,
traffic at Dulles has just about returned to prior levels--2006 already
exceeds all prior years other than 2005--and prospects for the future
are for substantial growth.
Thus we are underway building a new fourth runway at Dulles, and
are drilling tunnels for the automated underground people mover that
will open in 2009. On the agenda is the schedule for the next midfield
terminal building.
If I am confirmed, it will be my responsibility, with the Finance
Committee, to lead the financing of these projects. The Authority now
goes to the financial markets several times a year to take the best
advantage of the shifting rates. We have more than $3 billion in
revenue bond debt outstanding, and are preparing for an additional $400
million this fall We enjoy an excellent reputation with the rating
agencies, and enjoy the some of the highest ratings in the airport
industry.
Mr. Chairman, it is almost exactly twenty years since the Congress
agreed to turn over Dulles and National, the Metropolitan Washington
Airports, to the independent Metropolitan Washington Airports
Authority. In my opinion, this has proved a most wise and beneficial
decision. I look forward to continuing the Authority's excellent record
as we face the challenges of a constantly changing industry.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for considering my renomination to the
Board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. I will be
happy to answer any questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name: (Include any former names or nicknames used): Charles
Darwin Snelling.
2. Position to which nominated: Member, [``Director''],
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, an agency created by
interstate compact between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the
District of Columbia.
3. Date of nomination: June 5, 2006.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses.)
Information not released to the public.
5. Date and place of birth: January 26, 1931; Allentown,
Pennsylvania.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Married March 21, 1951 to Adrienne Celeste Angeletti; she is
not employed.
Adrienne Celeste Snelling II Sullivan--54
Jonathan Commonfort Snelling--52
Marjorie Preston Snelling--50
Elizabeth Hornor Snelling Groner--48
Lesley Coates Snelling Bober--45
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, September 1949-
June 1951.
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, September 1951-June
1954, B.S. in E.M.
8. List all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs
that relate to the position for which you are nominated: Since 1955 I
have been effectively self-employed.
9. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: Chairman,
Pennsylvania Aviation Advisory Commission, 2000-2003.
10. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last 5 years.
Current:
Director, Bliley Technologies
President and Director, The Snelling Company
President and Director, Western Lehigh Valley Corporation
Chairman, 1000 Islands Marine and Island Service
Prior:
Director, NEPA Management Business Trust, 1985-2005
Director, Axicom Technologies, Inc., 1997-2005
Trustee, Lehigh Valley Hospital/Lehigh Valley Health Network,
Inc., Allentown, Pennsylvania--1982-2002; Treasurer--1986-1991
11. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.
Current:
Council of The Pennsylvania Society, Sellersville,
Pennsylvania--Secretary 1993-1995; First Vice President 1995-
1997; President 1997-2000.
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
American Association for the Advancement of Science,
Washington, D.C.
Merion Cricket Club, Haverford, Pennsylvania.
Grenadier Island Country Club, Ltd., Ontario, Canada--Past
President.
Lehigh Country Club, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The Princeton Club, New York, New York.
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--
Director.
Foundation for the Advancement of Monetary Education, New York,
New York--Trustee.
Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania--Trustee 1974-
1997; Treasurer 1985-1997; Life Trustee since 1997.
The Antique Boat Museum, Clayton, New York--Trustee since 1978;
Chairman 1998-2000.
Prior:
Allentown Art Museum, Allentown, Pennsylvania--Trustee.
Allentown Economic Development Corporation, Allentown,
Pennsylvania--Director.
Allentown-Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce, Allentown,
Pennsylvania--Director.
Allentown-Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce Issues Committee--
Member.
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania--Member, Board of
Associates.
Pennsylvania State University--Member, Advisory Board for
Allentown Campus.
None of the above restricts membership on the basis of sex, race,
color, religion, national origin, age or handicap.
12. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? If so,
indicate whether any campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and
whether you are personally liable for that debt.
Councilman, city of Allentown, Pennsylvania--elected 1969 (4-
year term).
President, Allentown City Council--elected annually, 1970-1973.
Member, 1972 Pennsylvania Electoral College.
Candidate for the Pennsylvania Senate, 1974.
There is not any outstanding debt for any of these campaigns.
13. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years.
2006
$1,000--Friends of Senator Jubelirer
$1,000--Friends of Doug Reichley
$1,000--Citizens for Browne
$1,000--Lehigh County Republican Committee
$2,000--Lynn Swann for Governor
$1,000--Friends of Rob Wonderling
$2,100--Charlie Dent for Congress
$1,000--Green Party of Luzerne County
2005
$1,668--Committee to Reelect Jane Ervin
$4,200--Santorum 2006
$700--Committee to Elect Bob Nyce
$600--Heydt for Mayor
$1,000--Friends of Doug Reichley
$2,100--Charlie Dent for Congress
$1,000--Friends of Rob Wonderling
$500--Jim Gerlach for Congress
$750--Republican Majority for Choice
$1,000--Friends of Karen Beyer
$500--Pa. Senate Republican Campaign Committee
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$500--Lehigh County Republican Committee
2004
$1,000--Friends of Doug Reichley
$1,250--Lehigh County Republican Committee
$576--Citizens for Arlen Specter
$1,100--Friends of Tom Corbett
$1,000--Friends of Joe Peters
$1,000--Committee to Elect Julie Harhart
$1,500--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$500--Pennsylvania Picks Jean Craige Pepper
$1,000--Committee to Elect Peg Ferraro
$2,000--Charlie Dent for Congress
$500--Jim Gerlach for Congress
$500--Volunteers for Argall
$500--Pa. Senate Republican Campaign Committee
2003
$4,000--Bush-Cheney 2004, Inc.
$1,000--Brian Johnson for Judge
$1,000--Charlie Dent for Congress
$1,000--Lehigh County Republican Committee
$500--Northampton County Republican Committee
$500--Committee to Elect Jim Martin
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$500--Lehigh Valley Coalition for Fair Government
2002
$2,424--Citizens for Arlen Specter
$1,000--Friends of Brian O'Neill
$1,000--Pat Toomey for Congress
$1,000--Committee to Elect Doug Reichley
$1,000--Committee to Elect Charlie Dent
$1,000--Lehigh Valley Republican Development Group
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$500--Pa. Senate Republican Campaign Committee
2001
$2,500--Committee to Elect Judge R. Simpson
$2,000--Committee to Elect Jane Ervin
$2,000--Pam Varkony for Mayor
$1,000--Pat Toomey for Congress
$1,000--Citizens for Arlen Specter
$1,000--Pa. Senate Republican Campaign Committee
$1,000--Bob Lovett for Mayor
$1,000--Committee to Elect Charlie Dent
$1,000--Fisher for Governor
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$500--Republican Pro-Choice Coalition
$500--Friends of Renee Cohn
$500--Friends of Judge Eakin
2000
$5,000--RNC Presidential Trust
$2,000--Gruppo for State Representative
$1,500--Citizens for Browne
$1,500--Citizens for Mark Mitman
$1,500--Pa. Senate Republican Campaign Committee
$1,000--Governor Ridge Leadership Circle
$1,000--Friends of Mike Fisher
$1,000--WISH (Women in Senate and House)
$1,000--Committee to Elect Robert Saurman
$1,000--Friends of Barbara Hafer
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$1,000--Voices for Varkony
$500--Committee to Elect Julie Harhart
1999
$2,000--Governor George W. Bush Presidential Exploration
Committee
$2,000--Jim Martin for District Attorney
$2,000--Pat Toomey for Congress
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$1,000--Friends of Giuliani
$1,000--Pam Varkony for City Council
$500--Sam Katz for Mayor
$500--Blaschak for City Council
$500--Pa. House Republican Campaign Committee
$500--Nick Sabatine for County Council
1998
$2,050--Pat Toomey for Congress
$2,000--Friends of Governor Ridge
$1,000--Citizens for Joe Uliana
$1,000--Pa. House Republican Campaign Committee
$1,000--Citizens for Arlen Specter
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$1,000--Friends of Rima Fahl
$650--Committee to Elect Charlie Dent
$500--Friends of Senator Jubelirer
$500--Committee to Elect Bonnie DiCarlo
1997
$1,000--Wallitsch for Superior Court
$1,000--Jim Martin for Judge
$1,000--Friends of Governor Ridge
$1,000--Rick Santorum 2000
$1,000--Pa. House Republican Campaign Committee
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$600--Bill Heydt for Mayor
$600--Friends of Bill Brackbill
1996
$1,125--Lehigh County Republican Committee
$1,000--Pennsylvania Republican State Committee
$1,000--Dole/Kemp `96
$1,000--Pa. House Republican Campaign Committee
$1,000--Friends of Bob Kilbanks
$500--Friends of Governor Ridge
$500--Committee to Elect Bob Nyce
14. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
1958--Chosen as one of America's Outstanding Young Men in
Business in a national magazine survey.
1962--Chosen Distinguished Young Man of the Year, Allentown
Junior Chamber of Commerce.
1999--Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree, Cedar Crest
College, Allentown.
15. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, and any speeches that you have
given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed
I have written regular columns commenting on economic, political
and social issues, published in the Allentown Morning Call since 1979.
From 1983 to 1986, I also wrote a weekly column for the Bethlehem
Globe-Times.
I have not made any formal speeches for which a text is available,
other than in my 2003 confirmation hearing before this Committee. Other
speeches I have delivered have been extemporaneous, and neither the
text nor the notes for such remarks exist.
16. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a non-governmental capacity and
specify the subject matter of each testimony.
Except for my 2003 confirmation hearing before this Committee, I
have never testified orally or in writing before Congress.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers: There are none.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain.
I do not intend to alter my current business activities, as they do
not present any conflicts. The position is part-time (two days per
month), and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is
not a Federal agency, does not compensate me for more than routine
expenses.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
All my investments, obligations, liabilities and other
relationships have been reviewed at the Office of Government Ethics and
at the Airports Authority. We all agree that none presents a risk of
conflict of interest. A copy of my Office of Government Ethics Form 450
has been provided to the Committee.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: I cannot identify any.
5. Describe any activity during the past 5 years in which you have
engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy.
I have never been paid as an advocate of public policy or
legislation, nor have I ever been a lobbyist. However, I have in my
regular newspaper column on politics and economics made public
pronouncements on all manner of policy issues.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
I would address any potential conflict of interest in accordance
with the Airports Authority ``Code of Ethical Responsibilities for
Members of the Board of Directors'', which generally provides for full
disclosure and recusal for apparent conflicts.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, state, or other law enforcement authority for violation of
any Federal, state, county, or municipal law, regulation, or ordinance,
other than for a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain.
I have never been arrested, charged or held by any Federal, state
or other law enforcement agency for violation of any Federal, state,
county or municipal law, regulation or ordinance other than for minor
traffic offenses. I have no knowledge that I have ever been
investigated.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain.
Several businesses of which I have been an officer have been
subject to routine civil litigation, such as tort and contract matters.
None has involved me personally, although I was once named, as
Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Hospital, in a financial dispute with
the doctors.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? No.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination.
I have very substantial experience as a board member, board
chairman and manager. At the Airports Authority, I have fully
participated in the board deliberations and decisions, and have had a
near perfect attendance record at board and committee meetings. The
Chairman has appointed me Chairman of the Finance Committee, a key
committee of the Board. I am a member of the Strategic Development,
Information Technology and Compensation Committees, and routinely
attend meetings of all eight Committees.
6. Have you even been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? No.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees?
To the extent it is within my power as one of thirteen Directors.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures?
I understand this has not been an issue at the Airports Authority,
but I would want to make sure that such witnesses and whistle blowers
did not suffer reprisals.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Certainly.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so?
I have always been willing to appear and testify on such occasions,
and will remain so.
The Chairman. Thank you, sir.
Next, Mr. Collister Johnson, of Virginia, to be the
Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation.
Collister Johnson was nominated on September 5, 2006, to be
Administrator of the SLSDC. Mr. Johnson currently serves as
Senior Management Consultant at Mercer Management Consulting.
He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation since 2002. Prior to his current
position, Mr. Johnson was President and Chief Executive Officer
of FastShip Atlantic, Inc., as well as Senior Vice President
and Director of Presidential Airways, Inc. Mr. Johnson received
his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his law degree
from the University of Virginia. He currently resides in
McLean, Virginia.
STATEMENT OF COLLISTER ``TERRY'' JOHNSON, NOMINEE TO
BE ADMINISTRATOR, SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Mr. Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate being
here.
I'd like to introduce my wife, Liz--Liz, if you could--
could you stand up? Thank you very much.
The Chairman. Thank you.
Mr. Johnson. And also recognize our children, who couldn't
be here today. They're in graduate school. Son, Coddy,
daughter, Kelley, and daughter-in-law Carrie. They possibly
could be listening in, so I want to make sure that I recognize
them, as well, and thank them for their love and support.
Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I'm going to submit my
statement, for the record, and just make some extemporaneous
remarks, if I can.
I want to thank the Committee very much for having this
hearing. I especially want to thank President Bush for
appointing me. And I wanted to make a couple of comments about
the Saint Lawrence Seaway Corporation and recognize some--and
put on the record some things that many people don't know.
But the Seaway Authority is a vital part of the Great Lakes
economy. It is--since 1959, it has carried 3 billion tons of
cargo and 300 billion--worth $300 billion. And it serves 25--
more than 25 ports in Canada and the U.S. So, it really needs
to do its job well in order to facilitate the commercial
activity of that part of the region. I think it also has the
potential to be a channel that can reduce congestion in other
parts of the country.
In terms of my background and experience, qualifications
for this job, I served as--8 years as the Chairman of Virginia
Port Authority, which has a function very similar to the Seaway
Corporation. I served as president of a shipping company. And I
also served for many years as transportation consultant.
So, I would respectfully submit that I have the
qualifications and background to lend value to the Seaway
Corporation, and, if confirmed, I will do my level best to make
sure that it carries out its functions in a professional and
efficient manner.
Finally, there are many stakeholders in the Seaway
Corporation, not only the commercial interests, but the
noncommercial interests, the recreational interests. And if I
am confirmed by this committee, I want to say that I will
always have an open door and listen to all of the stakeholders.
So, in closing, Mr. Chairman, thank you, again, for having
me here, and I'd be pleased to answer any questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Johnson follow:]
Prepared Statement of Collister ``Terry'' Johnson, Jr., Nominee to be
Administrator, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:
I am grateful for the opportunity to appear before you today as you
consider my nomination for the position of Administrator of the Saint
Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. I am honored to be nominated
for this position by President Bush, and if confirmed by the Senate,
look forward to contributing to the best of my ability in helping the
Seaway Corporation and the U.S. Department of Transportation carry out
their respective missions and goals.
One of the primary responsibilities for the Department is to
oversee the country's transportation infrastructure in a way which will
assure that our economy and commerce continue to grow and flourish. For
the Seaway Corporation, that responsibility focuses directly on the two
U.S. Seaway locks in Massena, New York. For nearly 50 years, the U.S.
and Canadian Seaway agencies have served to provide a safe, secure,
efficient, and reliable waterborne transportation route for the
movement of goods to and from the heartland of North America. The
management and operations of the U.S. and Canadian waterway system has
been a model of binational cooperation. Since 1959, more than two
billion tons of cargo estimated at $300 billion have moved to and from
the United States, Canada, and nearly 50 other nations. If confirmed, I
look forward to working with stakeholders, both current customers and
prospective users, to further increase commercial trade through the
waterway.
The fact of the matter is that the Nation's transportation assets
are often overlooked and seldom thought about until they fail or do not
perform adequately. Consider the chaos, congestion, and lost
productivity that would occur, as they have in the past, if the mass
transit system in one of our major cities were forced to close down for
several weeks, or if the same thing happened to one of our major hub
airports. Transportation assets are a lynchpin of our economy, and
effective stewardship of these assets is essential to the commercial
well-being of our Nation.
During my professional career, I have been fortunate to have served
in positions where I have been called upon to administer, finance, and
revitalize transportation assets in a variety of modes. I believe my
professional experiences have given me the knowledge and ability to
successfully perform the duties of Administrator for the Seaway
Corporation.
For example, for 8 years I served as the Chairman of the Virginia
Port Authority which owns and administers most of the maritime
facilities of the Port of Hampton Roads. At the beginning of my tenure
on the Board, the Port of Hampton Roads was only the sixth largest port
on the East Coast in terms of general cargo tonnage, which has the
highest value and is the greatest generator of jobs and related
employment. I am proud to say that at the time I stepped down as
Chairman, the Port of Hampton Roads increased its cargo throughput to
become the second largest port on the East Coast, having increased its
general cargo tonnage by over 250 percent, creating many thousands of
new jobs in the process.
Also, in the mid-1990s, I served as President of FastShip, Inc., a
company with a patented technology for rapid trans-oceanic container
service. In that capacity, we extensively researched the trans-oceanic
shipping markets, and came to understand the strengths and weaknesses
of traditional air and ocean shipping carriers. We also forged public-
private partnerships with the ports of Philadelphia and Cherbourg,
France, which helped us understand the importance of cooperation
between the public and private sectors in the sphere of transportation.
Finally, in my career as a management consultant with Mercer
Management Consulting, I have devised innovative solutions for
transportation problems in a variety of contexts. For example, the
governments of both Mexico and Argentina retained Mercer to privatize
the public transit system of Buenos Aires and the freight railroad of
Mexico, both of which were in a serious state of deterioration. We
successfully completed the mission of revitalizing these assets and
returning them to productive use.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you again for the
opportunity to appear before this Committee. I believe that my
background and experience are well suited to serve as Administrator of
the SLSDC and if confirmed as Administrator of the Seaway Corporation,
I pledge to work closely with you and welcome your ideas and
suggestions. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Collister
Johnson, Jr.
2. Position to which nominated: Administrator, St. Lawrence Seaway
Development Corporation.
3. Date of Nomination: Aug. 29, 2006.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Information not released to the public.
5. Date and Place of Birth: May 16, 1946; New York, New York.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Elizabeth K. Johnson--not employed; children: Kelley M.
Johnson--32; Collister W. Johnson--30.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Yale University, B.A., 1968.
University of Virginia, J.D., 1972
8. List all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs
that relate to the position for which you are nominated.
Chairman, Virginia Port Authority, 1986-1993.
President, FastShip Atlantic, Inc., 1993-1997.
9. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: Director, Overseas
Private Investment Corporation.
10. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational or other institution within the last 5 years.
Senior Consultant, Mercer Management Consulting, Inc.
President, Federal Systems Division, AmCad LLC.
Board of Directors, JNet Direct, Inc. 2001-Present.
Board of Directors, Lorton Arts Foundation--2003-Present.
11. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.
Chevy Chase Club--1980.
Sakonnet Golf Club--1985.
Sakonnet Yacht Club--1985.
Warren's Point Beach Club--1985.
Harbor Point Club--2000.
Anglers' Club of New York--1998.
Lorton Arts Foundation--2004, Treasurer.
Virginia Bar Association--1973.
I have never been associated with any organization that
practiced discrimination.
12. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? If so,
indicate whether any campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and
whether you are personally liable for that debt: No.
13. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of 5500 or more for the past 10 years.
Republican National Committee--$500
1McCrery for Congress--$500
Bush for President--$1,000
Bush-Cheney 2004--$2,000
Keep our Majority PAC--$1,250
Bush-Cheney Compliance Committee--$1,000
Bush Compliance Committee--$5,000
14. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements: Hampton Rhodes Man of the
Year--1993.
15. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, and any speeches that you have
given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed: None.
16. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a non-governmental capacity and
specify the subject matter of each testimony.
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Oct. 16, 2002--Hearing on
nomination to Board of Directors of Overseas Private Investment
Corporation
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers: None.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? No.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
Please refer to the Opinion Letter of the Assistant General Counsel
for Environmental, Civil Rights, and General Law.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity during the past 5 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting--the
administration and execution of law or public policy: None.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
Please refer to the Opinion Letter of the Assistant General Counsel
for Environmental, Civil Rights and General Law.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? No.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
6. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? No.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
The Chairman. Well, thank you all very much.
Colonel, you have been preceded by Ken Mead, who appeared
before this committee many times. We had great respect for him,
and he was of great assistance to the Committee. We look
forward to working with you.
And, Mr. Snelling, having served on that board in days gone
by as one of the Congressional representatives--I don't know if
you still have them or not, but I was an original member of
that Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority--we thank you
very much for being willing to take on that task. You've been
there already, so you know what you're doing. So, we appreciate
your willingness to continue to serve.
And, Mr. Johnson, I'm constrained to say that my roommate
from law school came to Washington to help set up the Saint
Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, so I've known it for a
long time. It has had a long distinguished history, and we
thank you for being willing to serve.
As with the other nominees, I did review your
qualifications and I have no questions. We'll put the paragraph
that we have prepared for each of you, in terms of your
qualifications, before the statements you've just made.
Senator?
Senator Inouye. I'd like to congratulate all of you on your
nominations and commend you and thank you for your public
service. It's not easy to dedicate your life to that cause.
Thank you very much.
The Chairman. And unless there's an objection, and I don't
expect one, we will prepare all seven of these nominations and
do our best to clear them for reporting to the floor after the
first vote that occurs following this hearing, unless there is
a question that's raised by any absent member, in which case
that question would have to be responded to by the nominee
before we could go through that procedure, because it does take
unanimous consent. But we hope we'll be able to clear these for
reporting to the floor sometime next Tuesday, at the latest,
and they will be, hopefully, considered by the Senate before we
recess for the election period.
Thank you all very much for coming, and we thank your
family members for joining us.
Unless there's something you have further, Senator----
Senator Inouye. We have no objection on our side.
The Chairman. That's good. That's a good relationship to
have, to be Co-Chairman. We have just decided we will follow
that procedure.
Thank you very much.
[Whereupon, at 3:20 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]