Statement of Jon S. Corzine

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Tuesday, May 7, 2002

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce New Jerseyan John Peter Suarez to the committee. Mr. Suarez has been nominated by President Bush to be the Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. I also want to welcome his wife Natalie and their three young children, daughters Chloe and Laina, and their seven-week old son Maxwell.

Mr. Chairman, J.P. Suarez has served with distinction as a public servant in several capacities in New Jersey. He worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Newark. He later served Governor Whitman as an Assistant Counsel and as a Special Assistant to the Director of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. And most recently, Mr. Suarez served as the Director of New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement. He has received awards throughout his career, and I believe would bring a strong enforcement ethic to the EPA.

Mr. Chairman, the laws that EPA implements are designed to protect public health and the environment. Strong enforcement of these laws is critical to the people of New Jersey. My state has more Superfund sites than any other state. And we have continuing problems with air and water pollution that impact the health of New Jerseyans. So the top enforcement position at EPA is a critical one for my constituents.

I have met with Mr. Suarez, and he has assured me that he will work to vigorously enforce these laws. I take him at his word, Mr. Chairman, and am supporting his nomination. I look forward to working closely with him to ensure that EPA enforcement is carried out in a way that protects the health of New Jerseyans and all Americans.

I want to close by congratulating Mr. Suarez on his nomination, and I look forward to the balance of today's hearing.