WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon. Today we will consider three nominations – the nominations of Dr. Scott Doney, to be Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA); and Mr. Mario Cordero and Mrs. Rebecca Dye to be Commissioners at the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). It is an honor to be selected to serve our country, and all of you are well-qualified for your positions.

Dr. Scott Doney has been nominated to fill a position that has been vacant since 1996. Dr. Doney is an ocean scientist at the very top of his field. He’s conducted groundbreaking research on ocean acidification and climate change at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Healthy oceans support 60 percent of our nation’s gross domestic product and hundreds of thousands of jobs. We need to protect the marine environment so we can continue to benefit from their bounty for generations to come.

NOAA’s Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, has dedicated herself to advancing research in science innovation and technology at NOAA, and Dr. Doney’s nomination to be Chief Scientist is an important step to maintaining NOAA’s status as a top science agency. 

We will consider two nominations today to the Federal Maritime Commission, a little-known but important independent regulatory agency. I am pleased that two very qualified individuals have been selected to serve on the FMC. Mr. Cordero and Mrs. Dye will have to balance the needs of ship owners with consumers and businesses importing and exporting products. It won’t be easy, but I trust that they are up for the challenge.

Mr. Cordero comes from Long Beach, California, where he served as President of the Board of Long Beach Harbor Commissioners. He played an important role in implementing the Port’s pioneering Clean Trucks Program and Green Port Policy.

Mrs. Dye has served on the Federal Maritime Commission for eight years. Before that, she served as counsel for the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration in the Department of Transportation, and as counsel in the House of Representatives. I look forward to hearing the results of Mrs. Dye’s recent investigation into vessel capacity shortages. I commend her for leading such a comprehensive effort, and for her service at the Federal Maritime Commission.

I thank the nominees for testifying today, and urge a speedy confirmation for them all.

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