Chairman Rockefeller Opening Statement

 - GOV. GARY LOCKE NOMINATION HEARING TO BE U.S. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE -

Good Morning, I want to welcome everyone to our hearing on the nomination of Governor Gary Locke to be the nation’s 36th Secretary of Commerce. 

I am not sure if you all have noticed, but there has been a fair bit of discussion lately about who will be the next Secretary of Commerce --- and I am very proud to say that Governor Locke is the perfect choice for this extremely important job.

Governor Locke, you have been asked to lead at a time of enormous challenge, but also a time of enormous opportunity. 

You all are probably well aware of Governor Locke’s incredibly impressive biography and his deep commitment to public service but it certainly bears some highlighting.

Governor Locke was elected Washington’s 21st governor in 1996, making him the first Chinese-American governor in U.S. history. He spent his first six years in one of Seattle’s public housing projects for families of World War II veterans. He worked in his father’s grocery store, became an Eagle Scout and graduated with honors before moving on to Yale University. After receiving his law degree from Boston University, he worked for several years as a deputy prosecutor focusing on felony crimes.    He was later elected to the Washington State House of Representatives and served as chief executive of King County.

Now, why am I going through Governor Locke’s biography in such detail? 

Because I know that the job of Commerce Secretary is undeniably crucial to the improvement of our economy.   And during these challenging times, the American people must have an understanding of the person who will be at the helm of reinvigorating our communities from the bottom up.

The people deserve to know that the person working with Congress and this committee every day, to determine the best way to reboot this economy, is a person who – simply put – gets it. 

Governor Locke gets it.  

He understands what is happening on Main Street.  He was a governor. He is a civil servant. He is a man with his finger on the pulse of what direction America must head toward in generations to come.

I think people are often very surprised to hear the vast jurisdiction of this Committee.  And I think people are equally surprised by the expansive influence the Department of Commerce has on people’s lives. 

The Department is charged with promoting job creation, improving living standards by promoting economic growth, increasing competitiveness, issuing patents and trademarks, and helping to set industrial standards.

This is no small job.  And there will be challenges.

Governor Locke, to name only a few specifics, if you are confirmed, you will immediately begin to tackle:

·         The successful national transition to digital television.

·         Management of the Census.

·         The allocation of $4.7 billion in needed broadband funds to expand service to millions of people.

·         Engagement on Climate Change.

·         Amplification of Science and Technology to significantly increase U.S. competitiveness and innovation.

The list goes on. 

I think we can all agree that the Commerce Secretary is one very big job in one of most crucial times in the history of the American economy.

We need someone who wakes up every day thinking about what is best for working families. 

Governor Locke will represent the interests of the people with honor. 

I know he will ensure American workers can prosper, our businesses can thrive, and the economy can grow.

We need to move quickly on this nomination because there is important work to be done and not a moment to waste. 

Let’s get moving.