David Wilkins Nominated Ambassador to Canada

DAVID WILKINS NOMINATED AMBASSADOR TO CANADA -- (House of Representatives - April 28, 2005)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, last night President Bush nominated his long time friend South Carolina Speaker of the House David Wilkins as America's new Ambassador to Canada. While I have mixed feelings of the loss of Speaker Wilkins from public service in South Carolina, I am thrilled he will now serve all Americans as the representative to our sister nation, which is America's largest trading partner in the world.

David Wilkins and his wife Susan are the perfect team to represent America. Susan is competent and gracious and will establish the Ambassador's residence as a center of warm, Southern hospitality.

All South Carolinians are proud of David Wilkins making history by becoming an ambassador to our appreciated northern neighbor. In 1994, he made history to become the first Republican Speaker of the House of a Southern legislature in the 20th century, followed by many speakers, from Austin to Richmond.

Godspeed, David and Susan.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

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