Hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
September 29, 2004 Wednesday
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING
HEADLINE: HEARING OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: NOMINATIONS
CHAIRED BY: SENATOR RICHARD G. LUGAR (R-IN)
WITNESSES: CATHERINE TODD BAILEY, NOMINEE; RYAN C. CROCKER, NOMINEE; MARCIE B. RIES, NOMINEE; DOUGLAS MENARCHIK, NOMINEE
LOCATION: SENATE DIRKSEN OFFICE BUILDING, ROOM 419 WASHINGTON, D.C.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): Mr. Chairman, Senator Hagel, Senator Sarbanes, thank you so much for having this hearing this afternoon. It's my great honor to be here today to introduce Catherine Todd Bailey, the president's nominee to be the ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Latvia.
Also, just a word, her husband, Irv, is here as well, who is a distinguished and successful businessman in our state. And there is simply not a finer couple in our state.
With this nomination, the right woman has truly met the right mission.
Soviet tanks rolled into Latvia during World War II. There they would stay for over 50 years. Throughout that time, two generations of Latvian people held onto hope that one day they would be free. Though they saw Soviet domination all around them, they felt the beacon of freedom that is the United States penetrating the Iron Curtain.
Finally, the Cold War ended. And since throwing off the cloak of totalitarianism over a decade ago, Latvians have fully and eagerly embraced democracy. They've transformed their command-and-control system into a vibrant free-market economy. They've joined the World Trade Organization, NATO and the European Union. They've shown their dedication to the cause of liberty by standing firm alongside America in the war on terrorism.
This fresh new European state stands on the brink of the future. It deserves and demands a first-rank ambassador who will move that partnership between our countries forward.
We have that ambassador in Catherine Todd Bailey. Latvians will recognize within her the power to hold onto hope that has served them so well. For more than 30 years I've known her. Cathy has been a tireless champion for drawing out the greatest potential in others. Her work with charities illustrates this, as you've pointed out, Mr. Chairman.
Just a comment on her latest endeavor. Cathy is the founder and president of Operation Open Arms, a Kentucky-based charity that provides stable and loving homes for children whose mothers are in prison. Many would be reluctant to embrace any cause connected with those behind bars. Many would be willing to write off criminals' kids as simply beyond hope. But Cathy recognized that children of criminals who may suddenly find themselves without a parent or a home as innocent victims. She acted to rescue these children from following their parents' footsteps into a life of drugs, despair, illegitimacy and crime.
Supporting Cathy today are her husband, Irv, to whom I referred earlier; her son, John; her daughter, Meredith; and her son-in-law, Rafael. They can all testify to the incredible-the indelible record of public service Cathy has made in our home state of Kentucky. She's been a leader in every area she's entered. She's smart, hardworking, disciplined, honest, tireless and loyal, everything we need in a public servant. Her commitment to serving others began with her career as a first-grade teacher decades ago. In fact, my chief of staff was one of her students. So every day that Cathy-every day-so I see every day that Cathy has the ability to connect with people.
She will serve her country with honor and dignity. We could not have a kinder, more compassionate face to show to the Latvian people than her's.
I appreciate the committee's quick handling of this nomination and look forward to her confirmation. And thank you very much for the opportunity to be here.