Douglas Alexander: “the Senator from New Mexico, Mr. Bingaman, has been tireless in helping to create the America COMPETES Act, which passed…”

“the Senator from New Mexico, Mr. Bingaman, has been tireless in helping to create the America COMPETES Act, which passed unanimously here. But even more important than that, he did not walk away from it once it became law. He has attended to the details of trying to make sure we implement it. One of those details is what we are doing today. I wish to, in support of what he has said so eloquently--and I also commend Senator Domenici from New Mexico, who has had such a key role in this effort--I wish to tell a story that helps put in perspective what we are talking about. Two years ago, a group of Senators traveled to China, led by Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye. We were received very well because Senator Stevens had flown with the Flying Tigers. He flew the first plane to land in Beijing after World War II, and the top Chinese leaders had not forgotten. And, of course, Senator Inouye is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner for his heroic service to our country in World War II. So we saw President Hu, and the No. 2 man in China, Mr. Wu.…”