Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise this evening to speak about 17 nominees who will be confirmed in the wrap-up of this evening's session--17 nominees to serve as Ambassadors for the United States around the world or to represent us in international organizations. I am grateful that we have been able to reach an agreement with those Senators who have been blocking their confirmation. I, frankly, wish we had been able to clear even further. There are 38 ambassadorial or senior position nominees waiting for action on this floor, and it is my hope that when we return in September, we will clear the remaining ones. But this evening, I wanted to speak about one nominee in particular, the Honorable Jack Markell, who has been nominated and will this evening be confirmed to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino. I have known Jack and his wife Carla for more than three decades. As Jack liked to say when he was Governor, Delaware is a ``State of neighbors,'' and no one better epitomizes that friendly attitude, that commitment to one another's well-being more than our former Governor Jack Markell. As treasurer, as Governor, as a businessman, now as Ambassador to the OECD--the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development--Jack is used to working cooperatively with others to get things done and to do things the right way. As Governor, he steered our State through an incredibly difficult and demanding fiscal crisis, getting us back on track.…”