Dick Lugar: “Madam President, today the Senate will have the opportunity to consider many nominations for diplomatic posts of some…”

“Madam President, today the Senate will have the opportunity to consider many nominations for diplomatic posts of some very talented Americans who have made themselves available for public service--some as a career, and others for temporary periods--and who have come before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in formal hearings, and whom the committee has sent to the floor for action by the Senate. It is my hope these nominations will be acted upon favorably today. It is important to our country that these ambassadors and representatives to various other international organizations be in place as rapidly as possible. In an often-changing and sometimes dangerous world, we need that leadership. Our committee has tried to act in an expeditious manner to provide a fair degree of certainty to Senators, and a confidence level that these are good nominees who will represent our country well. Prominent among those whom we recommend today is our former colleague, Senator John Danforth of Missouri.”