On the recordDecember 18, 2012
over his time in this body, Jeff Bingaman has worn many hats: champion of education, expert on energy policy, steward of our nation's nuclear arsenal, thoughtful voice on national security. He has approached each of these varied responsibilities with an attitude aimed not at attention-grabbing or point scoring, but at practical, fact-driven problem solving. In the accurate description of the Washington Post, ``Bingaman isn't one to grab the spotlight, but this six-term senator's logical, cerebral approach tends to get things one.'' He has indeed gotten things done, for the people of New Mexico first and foremost, but his practical approach has benefitted Americans from every State. I know first-hand that the people of Michigan have benefitted from his leadership. I have worked closely over the years with Senator Bingaman to preserve programs that are vital to America's manufacturing sector, the heart of my State's economy. His support for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program and the Technology Innovation Program has made a major difference in the ability of American manufacturers to research and develop new technologies, to increase efficiency, to improve supply chains and to out-innovate our overseas competitors. The people of Michigan also have benefitted from Senator Bingaman's leadership of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.…





