Jeff Bingaman: “I hope Secretary Salazar can share with us his vision of how we can determine the best places for energy development.”

I would certainly like to thank Senator Bingaman, who just retired just very recently, for the strong support that he has shown me over the years, and including support for this nomination.

I wouldn't be here without it.

He has demonstrated, on numerous occasions, his ability to find solutions to very difficult problems and to find solutions that could gain the support of Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike.

I want to recognize the distinguished service of my friend Bruce Black, the Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Bruce has chosen to leave the Federal bench at the end of this month. His decision to…