Majority Statement

• Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

  U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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  Majority Statement

  Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

  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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Minority Statement

• Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

  U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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  Minority Statement

  Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

  STATEMENT OF SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON,

  RANKING MEMBER

  COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

  NOMINATIONS HEARING
  NOVEMBER 30, 2010

  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today’s hearing.  We will consider a number of nominees chosen to fill a variety of important positions.
  
  I would like to welcome Dr. Scott Doney, who has been nominated to serve as the Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  NOAA is one of our Nation’s premier scientific agencies and provides services that protect life and property as well as support natural resource development.    
  
  Because of the risks associated with Hurricanes and other extreme weather events, NOAA’s weather prediction and oceanographic capabilities are essential to our nation, and particularly Gulf States like Texas. 
  
  When Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast in 2008, NOAA’s advanced hurricane warnings helped minimize the loss of life and its hydrographic teams helped re-open our ports to commerce quickly.
  
  The waters of our shores currently account for approximately 27 percent of our Nation’s domestic oil production and 15 percent of our domestic natural gas production, generating billions of dollars in economic activity and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
  
  Given that NOAA’s regulations must weigh and balance social, economic, and environmental goals, NOAA must commit to maintaining an open, public, and transparent process for carrying out its mandates and implementing its policies.  I look forward to hearing Dr. Doney’s views on the role of sound science in striking this balance, and particularly in areas of research where there is continued scientific debate.
  
  Furthermore, I would like to commend NOAA for its record of outreach activities to inspire students to enter into STEM fields.  These efforts inspire our future scientists at the K-12 and undergraduate grade levels, and I am interested in hearing how, as Chief Scientist of NOAA, Dr. Doney plans to strengthen STEM education.
  
  I would also like to welcome the nominees for the Federal Maritime Commission, Ms. Rebecca Dye and Mr. Mario Cordero.  Safe, efficient, and reliable maritime commerce is vital to our Nation’s economy.
  
  The Port of Houston, in my home state of Texas, generates $118 billion per year in economic activity and 785,000 jobs in the region.
  
  The Federal Maritime Commission has the important task of regulating and ensuring the stability of our maritime transportation system and I look forward to hearing the nominees’ priorities for the Commission.
  
  I thank all of the nominees for their willingness to serve and look forward to learning their views.

Testimony

• Dr. Scott Doney

  to be Chief Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  U.S. Department of Commerce
  Download Testimony (1.24 MB)

• Mr. Mario Cordero

  to be a Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission
  Download Testimony (16.85 KB)

• Mrs. Rebecca F. Dye

  (Reappointment) to be a Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission
  Download Testimony (1.25 MB)