Jack Reed: “I rise this morning to speak briefly on the nomination of Mr. James Hormel to be the United States Ambassador to…”

“I rise this morning to speak briefly on the nomination of Mr. James Hormel to be the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg. Mr. Hormel has a distinguished record as a businessperson, as a lawyer, as a former dean of the University of Chicago Law School, and as a philanthropist. His family owns one of the largest agriculture companies in our country. He has, throughout his distinguished career, been a contributor and supporter of many worthy organizations. His philanthropy is well known throughout the United States. He has contributed significantly to the Catholic Youth Organization, to the United Negro College Fund, Swarthmore College, Breast Cancer Action, and to many, many other associations. He has also served as the alternate representative to the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of our country, the United States of America. Mr. Hormel's nomination was favorably reported out by the Committee on Foreign Relations and is widely supported here in the U.S. Senate. Indeed, hundreds of distinguished Americans have favorably commented on his nomination, and they have stated that Mr. Hormel has the ability and skills to successfully represent the United States in Luxembourg. Now, there are many who are watching this proceeding who would ask, given all these qualifications, why would Mr. Hormel be denied a vote on his nomination to be Ambassador to Luxembourg? The simple answer comes down to the fact of Mr. Hormel's sexual orientation.”