Hatch: Utah Governor John Huntsman The Right Choice For U.S. Ambassador To China

Statement

Introduction of Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. of Utah
to be Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Chairman Kerry, Ranking Member Lugar, Senator Webb, and other distinguished members of the Foreign Relations Committee, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to introduce to you today my good friend and my governor from the state of Utah, the Honorable Jon Huntsman, Jr.

It goes without saying that Governor Huntsman is a man of integrity whose service to the state of Utah has been of great worth. Indeed, what Utah stands to lose from this nomination is exactly what the United States and China stand to gain: a seasoned diplomat, an excellent manager, a qualified politician, and a man who wants nothing but the very best for the country he loves and has served for over twenty years.

It takes great courage for a republican governor of one of the reddest, most-conservative states in the nation to accept the invitation to serve under a democratic president; yet this is the same courage Governor Huntsman has displayed throughout his career. From his time as a staff assistant in the Reagan administration to his work in the trenches at the Commerce Department, Jon Huntsman, Jr. has proved to be an innovative leader, a progressive thinker, and someone who comes to this position at a time when the United States needs an ambassador to China who will strive to do what is right, work day and night on behalf our country, and forge the kind of relationships we need to move forward in the globally connected world of the 21st century.

As the Ambassador to China, the challenges before Governor Huntsman will neither be easy nor few. However, I personally find it interesting that Governor Huntsman has been here before - twice in fact. For this is a man who was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a U.S. Ambassador - first to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush and then as Deputy United States Trade Representative under President George W. Bush. Now, in his third appearance as a nominee, he has answered President Barack Obama's call to willingly serve as Ambassador to China and leave his post in Utah where, I might add, he was re-elected to a second term as governor with more than 70 percent of the vote. To me, this speaks volumes about Governor Huntsman's ability to cross bridges, conquer divides, and put aside partisan politics when doing what he believes to be best for his family, for our state, and for our country.

It is no secret that under Governor Huntsman's stewardship Utah has been named the best-managed state by the Pew Research Center. Building on the excellent work of our state legislature, Governor Huntsman has helped to lead our state in economic development initiatives and incentive programs that have shaped Utah into one of the most dynamic states in the nation. Even in times of economic hardship, when the leaders in our state legislature and the Governor have had to make some very difficult budgetary decisions, Utah continues to be a leader in innovation, transportation, and conservation as Governor Huntsman has sought to maintain Utah's high quality of life while attracting some of the best companies in the country to our beautiful state.

In short, I cannot think of a more qualified nominee for Ambassador to China than Governor Huntsman. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. He has been to China on numerous occasions. He has lived and worked in Taiwan as a missionary for the LDS Church and in private business. And he excelled in his role as the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore. President Obama made a wise decision in selecting Governor Huntsman for this post, and because of that, Utah will lose a great leader. However, Governor Huntsman has left the state in good hands and we all look forward to working with Lt. Governor Gary Herbert in his new role should Governor Huntsman be confirmed.

I believe I speak for all Utahns when I say Governor Huntsman will be missed, but we all know he is the appropriate person for this job. Moreover, his selection could not come at a more appropriate time. Indeed, this is a time when a man like Governor Huntsman is needed on the world stage, and it is a time when he leaves Utah a better place for having served our state so well.

I congratulate Governor Huntsman on his nomination. I applaud his beautiful wife, Mary Kaye, and her decision to continue to share his time and talents with the world. And I know his wonderful family will be blessed by his contribution to our country in this position.

I want to thank the committee for moving so quickly once they received this nomination from the White House, and I look forward to helping in any way that I can to ensure that this nomination is a success.

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