Mike Thompson: “John Graham has had a distinguished career. He has been head of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis for the last 15…”

“John Graham has had a distinguished career. He has been head of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis for the last 15 years and has been called the ``best-qualified person'' who has come down the road for this position by Bob Leiken of the Brookings Institution. Some people don't like scientific facts that don't comport with their ideology, even if it is supported in the scientific community. He has been criticized, he has had selected excerpts taken from his works, and he has been unfairly characterized. They have taken complex scientific issues and even though they might be counterintuitive for many of us, they are supported by the scientific community. Mr. President, the merging of scientific analysis and the political process sometimes is not a pretty picture, and this one has not been either. But I suggest there have been a lot of people asleep on the job and very negligent if this gentleman is not qualified and has really adhered to some of the views attributed to him. Leaders of public policy in this country: scientists, academics, Democrats and Republicans, the last two Democrats who have held this position, support this man. I suggest a strong vote for him is merited, and I sincerely urge that. I yield the floor.”