I am certain that when most Americans think of the Department of Commerce they think of trade and business, but the nominee before us, Mr. John Sullivan, and the members of the Committee know that it is so much more. 

 

The Department’s mission includes conserving and managing our ocean resources, ensuring accuracy in standards and measurements, counting our citizens, providing economic opportunity, managing spectrum policy, and predicting the weather both for tomorrow and for the long term.  The Commerce Department is even responsible, in part, for helping Americans keep their televisions functioning once the digital television transition is complete.

 

We need strong leaders at the Department who are committed to all of the Department’s missions.  For example, the nation’s commerce will suffer if the Department, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), does not promote good stewardship of our environment and its resources.

 

This session, the Committee and the Senate will be looking to act on many issues related to the Department of Commerce.  If you are confirmed, Mr. Sullivan, we will need your help to enact legislation to promote travel and tourism to the United States and to understand and respond to the threat of global climate change.  We will need your help to ensure that the digital television transition runs smoothly, that our system of Earth observing satellites remains viable, and that our shared vision to promote American competitiveness through science and innovation is implemented.

 

We look forward to working with you, should you be confirmed. 

 

Mr. Sullivan, do you have any family members that you would like to introduce to the Committee?