Senate Proceeding on Feb 17th, 2011 :: 11:17:05 to 11:24:30
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11:16:55 to 11:17:15( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: mr. rockefeller: before we wrap this up entirely, there are just a couple of people i want to really thank. particularly i want to thank my ranking member, i refer to as my cochair, senator kay bailey

11:17:05 to 11:24:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Rockefeller

11:17:16 to 11:17:36( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: hutchison for incredibly hard, smart, indefatigable commitment, pure determination to see this bill through. i could not have asked for a better partner on this bill or as a partner on the commerce committee. we work in sync. it doesn't mean we have to agree on everything, but as it happens we usually do.

11:17:37 to 11:17:57( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: i know and our colleagues should know that this bill simply would not have happened without her hard work, without her negotiating skills. everywhere, constantly. she was tenacious in getting a lot of deals done on what was the most contentious issue, slots, and she was patient and she was fair. i want my colleagues to know, i

11:17:58 to 11:18:18( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: want the whole world to know how much i admire her as a person, as a professional, and i am grateful that she has applied her considerable expertise and legislative savvy to this effort. i also want to take a moment to tell my colleagues that i am very disappoint thad senator hutchison has chosen not -- disappointed that senator

11:18:19 to 11:18:39( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: hutchison has chosen not to seek re-election. she has been a model public servant, she is a real model public servant who has made a difference in the lives of americans. she has made texans proud. the senate will be worse off without her, the commerce committee will be worse off without her, the aviation world will be worse off without her, and most importantly, the people of texas will miss her talent

11:18:40 to 11:19:00( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: and her clear ability to represent their interests at the federal level, and she is just amazing. i will reluctantly not begrudge her the opportunity to bring her considerable talents to her post-senate life, which she fully deserves, but i have her

11:19:01 to 11:19:22( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: as my partner on the commerce committee for two more years, and for that i'm very grateful. we have two more years to team up and see what we can accomplish together and as a committee. we have a full agenda, and this bill is just the first of what i hope will be many joint successes in this congress. i want to take a few minutes to

11:19:23 to 11:19:46( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: thank the staff that has worked so incredibly hard on this bill. the issues we deal with are very difficult. sometimes they're very boring. sometimes they're just persistent. you have to scratch them all the time. and they're always arcane. we would not be able to do our jobs without the assistance of a very dedicated and smart staff

11:19:47 to 11:20:07( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: on both sides of the aisle. i'm going to start with senator hutchison's staff first. i would like to thank jerry thompson, senator hutchison's lead aviation staffer, who worked seemlessly with my staff. -- seamlessly with my staff. such is not always the case in this body. the importance of his work on this bill cannot be overstated.

11:20:08 to 11:20:28( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: he managed every issue in this bill with a calm professionalism that made a challenging process a lot easier. i'd also like to thank her staff director, ann beggan, who is truly a gem. that's called a jewel. and has been -- ann has been nominated to be commissioner of the surface transportation

11:20:29 to 11:20:49( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: board, and she is going to be a great asset to that commission. the committee will consider her nomination soon, and not trying to look ahead too far, i hate the thought of losing her but she is going to make a fantastic commissioner. finally, i would like to recognize the work of brian

11:20:50 to 11:21:11( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: hendrix whose fierce tenacity was essential to getting this bill done. he has been absolutely instrumental, quietly working away, constantly getting things done. for my part, i'm fortunate to have a tremendous staff, too. in my state, my personal office is on the committee. i'm genuinely lucky to have managed to hold onto a very talented group of people that each fundamentally appreciate

11:21:12 to 11:21:32( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: that it is a privilege to be in public service. if you don't have that instinct, you're not going to do a lot around here. the staff of the aviation subcommittee is truly exceptional, because gale sullivan never seeks recognition, i want to spend a minute giving him the recognition and tremendous

11:21:33 to 11:21:54( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: credit he deserves. he has spent ten years on the subcommittee and almost 20 years as staffer on the commerce committee. he knows everything that there is to know about aviation. he works enormously hard day in and day out, whether we're on the floor or just trying to solve a problem of a rural airport or small community dependent upon essential air service. gale is here because he is

11:21:55 to 11:22:15( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: absolutely dedicated to making a difference. gale has been critical to aviation -- every aviation bill that we have tried on this committee. his hard work has helped produce a safer, more efficient air traffic system and a more secure aviation system. working with rich swaiz -- swayze, rich is an aviation expert as well.

11:22:16 to 11:22:38( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: from his ph.d. thesis on air service to his work at g.a.o., rich has developed his expertise and my colleagues have benefit interested that. rich has put countless hours into this bill over the last three years. he has worked tirelessly on helping resolve the thorniest of issues, like, for example, slots.

11:22:39 to 11:22:59( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: adam duffy is the third member of my aviation team. adam keeps the subcommittee running. helping draft materials for the bill or comparing for the floor, he has done yeoman's work in drafting the paper, the amendments and making sure i had what i needed.

11:23:00 to 11:23:20( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: his is not a glamorous job at times, but sometimes those are the most important jobs of all. and finally, there is james reid. james reid for many years has been a senior advisor to me on the commerce committee issues, including both in my office at the hart building and the committee, including aviation. he is the deputy staff director

11:23:21 to 11:23:41( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: of the commerce committee since i became chair, and i don't know what i would do without him. literally don't know. i have known james for many years. i know how smart he is. this tragedy of how things get done and staff is never recognized for what they really are, and that is the group that puts all of it together.

11:23:42 to 11:24:02( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: and how funny he is. now, it's an art form to get to the funny part, but he is one of the funniest people i know. and what a good heart he has. i still marvel at his sheer skill, whether it's working through the details of a vexing legislative dilemma or thinking through the best strategic maneuver to achieve success. james can do it all.

11:24:03 to 11:24:26( Edit History Discussion )

John Rockefeller: i totally rely on him. i am so grateful for his willingness to sacrifice more lucrative opportunities as so many of our staff are willing to do to make the commerce committee work. i know the entire staff feels the same way that i do. mr. chairman, i yield -- i yield