WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations.

Witness List:

Panel I

Mr. Philip Coyle, to be the Associate Director at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President

Mr. Scott Quehl, to be Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce

Mr. Suresh Kumar, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service

Panel II

Mr. Anthony R. Coscia, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors

Mr. Albert DiClemente, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors

Dr. Mark Rosekind, to be a Member and Reappointed to the National Transportation Safety Board

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“I commend the nominees today for choosing to answer the call of our president to further their public service. They bring a wide range of expertise to help overcome some of our nation’s most difficult challenges. I am proud of the progress we have made in recent months, and I look forward to see these talented public servants where they belong—on the job for the American people.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“We must make every effort to ensure we strengthen America’s innovations in science and technology. Our national security is dependent on these innovative forces. American military technology is the envy of the world, and America’s research and development enterprise is indispensable to our future.”

Mr. Philip Coyle, to be the Associate Director at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President

“We all share a commitment to a Department that is efficient and effective, as it promotes accelerated economic recovery and sustainable growth through trade promotion and commercial diplomacy, innovation and intellectual property, and the science and infrastructure that businesses will rely upon to develop a vibrant clean energy industry.”

Mr. Scott Quehl, to be Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce

“International trade has always been a proven path to global prosperity. The current economic climate makes it even more compelling to prioritize and pursue this course. With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living beyond our borders, we must encourage, nurture and support U.S. companies, particularly small and medium businesses, to export goods and services into foreign markets to supplement the decline in domestic consumption. We must grow our exports to stimulate the economy, create and maintain American jobs and to help reduce our trade deficit.”

Mr. Suresh Kumar, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service

“I strongly believe that a vibrant, competitive, and comprehensive passenger rail system is a critical component of a 21st century multi-modal transportation system. The benefits of such a system are numerous: it would improve mobility on our nation’s congested highways and roadways; reduce energy consumption; and result in improved air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”

Mr. Anthony R. Coscia, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors

“It was not just because of the money or the working conditions, which were Spartan at best, but rather the commitment they had to the mission of safe and reliable travel for their fellow Americans – and a commitment to one another. They were a family Mr. Chairman – part of the Amtrak family. They looked after one another from a safety perspective, and believed in each other from a mission standpoint.”

Mr. Albert DiClemente, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors

“Fatigue has been on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List since its inception in 1990. Clearly, over the years the NTSB’s findings and my professional endeavors have led us to the same conclusion: that effectively managing fatigue is a critical factor in human performance and transportation safety.”

Dr. Mark Rosekind, to be a Member and Reappointed to the National Transportation Safety Board

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