Hearing Of The Senate Commerce, Science And Transportation Committee; Nominations

Statement

Hearing Of The Senate Commerce, Science And Transportation Committee; Nominations

SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI (R-AK): Good morning, Mr. Chairman. I am delighted to be before the committee to introduce a friend and a fellow Alaskan, Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, who is President Bush's nominee to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation. I have known Admiral Barrett and his wife Sheila since my service in the Alaska state legislature back in Juneau when Admiral Barrett was serving as the commander of the 17th Coast Guard District. At that time, I had an opportunity to come to know Admiral Barrett, his wife, his family just as genuine Alaskans. I must tell you, they hail from other parts of the country, but we have adopted them as Alaskans. We know that their heart when they left the state, a part of their heart was left with us. We are glad to call them Alaskans.

I would also like to recognize not only his wife Sheila, but also his family. They have four children, two sons who have served honorably in Iraq. The family has contributed in so many different ways. Admiral Barrett has a very distinguished background. He graduated from the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, was commissioned in 1969, served in Vietnam, earned a law degree from George Washington, graduated in residence from the Army War College. He, as I indicated, had served as the commander of the 17th Coast Guard District in Alaska. But, again, responsibilities and duties all over, including the Office of Chief Counsel of the Project Staff for Outer Continental Shelf Safety, Security and Environmental Protection. He truly, again, has served our country with distinction and honor.

I was able to introduce Admiral Barrett at a hearing just last year when he was named as the first Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator for the Department of Transportation. That was back in May of 2006. He served in that capacity incredibly well. I had the opportunity to deal with him on some very difficult issues, but found a man who not only knew his background, but was an incredible administrator, incredible leader and greatly appreciated that service. He has continued to hold that post as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator while simultaneously taking on the duties as the Acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation. These additional duties came on in March of this year.

When he contacted me to let me know that he had been nominated by the President for this, I told him that I had some mixed feelings. I didn't want to lose him and all the focus that he had given in his capacity, but he assured me that he would remain committed to all that we had been working on while at the same time stepping up to assume the responsibilities as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. I have every reason to believe that the 40 years of service that he has provided to this country will continue to be built upon in an exemplary manner. I am delighted this morning to introduce Admiral Barrett and to recommend him for confirmation as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

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