Sen. Levin tribute to Sen. Jeff Bingaman
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Mr. President, over his time in this body, Jeff Bingaman has worn many hats: champion of education, expert on energy policy, steward of our nation’s nuclear arsenal, thoughtful voice on national security.
He has approached each of these varied responsibilities with an attitude aimed not at attention-grabbing or point scoring, but at practical, fact-driven problem solving. In the accurate description of the Washington Post, "Bingaman isn’t one to grab the spotlight, but this six-term senator’s logical, cerebral approach tends to get things one."
He has indeed gotten things done, for the people of New Mexico first and foremost, but his practical approach has benefitted Americans from every state. I know first-hand that the people of Michigan have benefitted from his leadership.
I have worked closely over the years with Senator Bingaman to preserve programs that are vital to America's manufacturing sector, the heart of my state’s economy. His support for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program and the Technology Innovation Program has made a major difference in the ability of American manufacturers to research and develop new technologies, to increase efficiency, to improve supply chains and to out-innovate our overseas competitors.
The people of Michigan also have benefitted from Senator Bingaman’s leadership of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He worked with me to enact legislation that has brought significant improvements to Michigan parks and recreational lands. With Senator Bingaman’s assistance, we have established the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, preserving the site of one of the most important battles of the War of 1812; made major progress toward completion of the North Country National Scenic Trail; enhanced wilderness protection at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; and made many improvements at Keweenaw National Historical Park. So, he has played a major role in helping preserve and protect numerous jewels of our state’s rich history, culture and natural beauty.
From his post on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Bingaman has been one of our nation’s most influential voices on energy, an issue that affects nearly every aspect of economic and environmental policy. He has worked with skill, intelligence and determination to find practical, bipartisan solutions in an issue area too often dominated by politics and powerful interests. As we seek to strengthen our nation’s competitiveness, his advocacy on renewable energy, energy efficiency and other important topics will yield important advantages.
While we have not had the benefit of his service in this Congress, Senator Bingaman served in the past with distinction on the Armed Services Committee. In his committee tenure he chaired the Emerging Threats and Capabilities and Strategic Forces subcommittees. His deep knowledge of science and technology issues was of great value in committee deliberations, in particular during the difficult debate over the Bush administration’s determination to invade Iraq. His expertise on energy and nuclear issues gave heft to his skepticism over claims that Iraq had sought to acquire uranium from Niger, claims that turned out to be false.
As the son of two educators, it only makes sense that Senator Bingaman would be careful, detail-oriented, and reliant on facts rather than assumptions. And it's no wonder that in addition to his work on energy, defense and natural resources, he has been one of the Senate’s most consistent and effective advocates for quality education.
On all of these issues, and so many others, Jeff Bingaman has sought solutions and consensus rather than attention and division. His careful, deliberate style, his focus on facts, and his determination to find practical answers to difficult challenges have been of enormous value to the Senate, to the people of New Mexico, and to the nation. They will be missed in the Senate, and so will he. I wish Jeff and Anne all the best as the move on from the Senate.