Majority Statement

• Kay Bailey Hutchison

  Senator
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  Majority Statement

  Kay Bailey Hutchison

  Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
  Introduction of
  David Sampson to be Deputy Secretary of the
  Department of Commerce
  
  

  I am pleased to introduce David Sampson for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce. Dr. Sampson has long impressed me as a dedicated and hard-working proponent of a more prosperous America. This is why I introduced him four years ago when President Bush nominated him to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, and I believe he is the right person for this new appointment.

   Dr. Sampson has proven his talent and abilities in Washington. His performance as Assistant Secretary fully justified our previous confirmation of him and should give us confidence in his abilities to succeed as Deputy Secretary.

   Assistant Secretary Sampson currently serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on domestic economic development policy. His primary responsibilities include policy development, establishing funding priorities, defining grant investment policy guidelines and directing the operations of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). In addition to fulfilling these important duties, he initiated the first comprehensive reorganization of the EDA in the agency's 37 year history to better align resources.

   More important than his professional background is his personal commitment, vision and character. Throughout his career he has eagerly embraced challenges. His resume is stellar and clearly illustrates why he is the perfect person to be the next Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

   Before he assumed his present job at the Department of Commerce, he was involved in a number of economic development activities at the state level in Texas. He was appointed by then Governor Bush to serve as Vice Chairman of the Texas Strategic Economic Development Planning Commission. In that role, he oversaw the development of a comprehensive 10-year economic development plan to assist all regions of the state achieve their highest economic potential.

  He subsequently chaired the Texas Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness. This experience gave him a greater understanding of the need to integrate economic and workforce development efforts. It also provided him with an appreciation of the potential and promise of the Workforce Investment Act and the role it can play in increased opportunity for Americans.

  Dr. Sampson was the President and CEO of the Arlington, Texas Chamber of Commerce, where he led an aggressive business development and retention program for the Arlington area. Known as an effective leader, as well as an important spokesman and advocate for the business community, he had the knack of finding and promoting solutions through consensus and principle.

  He is a graduate of David Lipscomb University, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and earned his doctorate at Abilene Christian University, and currently resides in Northern Virginia.

  With more than my usual pride in introducing a fellow Texan, it is my honor to introduce my friend David Sampson, and to encourage all of you to support his nomination.

Testimony

• Mr. John Sullivan

  Nominated to be General Counsel

  U.S. Department of Commerce
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  Testimony

  Mr. John Sullivan

  Click here for Mr. Sullivan's testimony.

• Mr. David Sampson

  Nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce

  U.S. Department of Commerce
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  Testimony

  Mr. David Sampson

  Click here for Mr. Sampson's testimony.