Lincoln Chafee: “Mr, President, I would like to make a few remarks about the nomination of Maj. Gen. Robert Bernard Flowers to be member…”

“Mr, President, I would like to make a few remarks about the nomination of Maj. Gen. Robert Bernard Flowers to be member and president of the Mississippi River Commission. Last Thursday, June 5, the Committee on Environment and Public Works unanimously reported out General Flowers' nomination. General Flowers has an impressive background. He has served in the U.S. Army since 1969 and is a registered professional engineer. General Flowers presently is the Army Corps of Engineers Division Commander of the Lower Mississippi Valley, which comprises districts headquartered in St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg and New Orleans. In his current position, General Flowers oversees the Corps of Engineers' water resources program in this 156,000 square mile area of the lower Mississippi Valley. General Flowers' experience will serve him well in the position before him. If confirmed as president of the Mississippi River Commission, General Flowers will be responsible for the planning and implementation of a program to control and develop the lower Mississippi Valley. The MRC also is responsible for the management and oversight of the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries Project. I might add that General Flowers is no stranger to the flooding and issues involved in controlling the Mississippi River. In fact, he was unable to join the Committee at his confirmation hearing this past March because of the urgency of terrible flooding in that area.”