I want to thank the Chairman and Committee Members for giving me the opportunity to come before you today.  It is a great honor to be nominated as a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board.  During 2001, I had the privilege of serving as the Vice Chairman of the MSPB and of working with a dedicated staff who were committed to upholding merit system principles.  I greatly respect the work of the Board and if confirmed, I will do all that I can to honor that work by objectively deciding every case that comes before the Board, on its merits and in accordance with the law.

Since its creation, the MSPB has protected the rights of Federal employees and ensured the efficacy of the Federal service.  Its importance as an impartial arbiter and its central role in ensuring that Executive Branch agencies make employment decisions in accordance with merit system principles are widely recognized.  In a period that has seen and will, no doubt, continue to see many changes to the Federal government’s personnel systems, I believe that the MSPB’s mission is more important than ever.  It must fulfill its traditional role by continuing to provide appellants with access to a mechanism for the impartial and timely adjudication of their employment disputes and Federal managers with clear guidance for meeting their personnel management responsibilities while adhering to Federal merit principles.  At the same time, the Board must be flexible enough to adapt to these modifications.  As a member of the Board, I will work closely with all of the Board members and staff to ensure that the MSPB remains true to its mission while accommodating change.

My experience as Vice Chairman has provided me with valuable insight into how the Board functions as an independent, impartial adjudicatory agency.  My experience with the National Labor Relations Board and my experience as a Labor Counsel and General Counsel have given me a keen appreciation of the importance of systems that promote fairness in the workplace.  My experience as a Federal employee has allowed me to understand more fully the needs of those served by the MSPB.  It is with this background and my personal commitment to promote the equity and efficacy of government operations that I approach the role as a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board.  I welcome both the challenges that such a position presents and the opportunity to serve that it provides.