Byron Dorgan: “in that case, let me compliment the chairman and ranking member, which I would have done in any event. Let me spend more…”

“in that case, let me compliment the chairman and ranking member, which I would have done in any event. Let me spend more time complimenting them for their work. The Banking Committee is very important in the Senate. It takes a very serious view of these issues and I know did a very thorough job in the hearings held late last year on this nomination for Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. I thank the chairman for his courtesy, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their work, not just on this nomination but on so many important issues. I don't come to the Chamber to oppose Mr. Bernanke's nomination. That is not my purpose. I wish him well. I want him to succeed. He is going to be confirmed almost unanimously today by the Senate. Chairman Greenspan and I have had very significant differences over a long period of time. But I wish him well. I want to thank him for his service to our country, even if we have different views about monetary policy. I know people will talk about big shoes to fill. Whenever someone leaves, there are big shoes to fill. I don't know if the shoes are big, little, Ferragamos or Payless--but they are shoes. We have someone else answering to the call of public service, in this case someone well qualified. Mr. Bernanke has served at the Federal Reserve Board dealing with monetary policy and at the White House dealing with fiscal policy for President Bush.…”