[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: February 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
EXECUTIVE SESSION
______
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
______
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will
consider the following nominations, en bloc:
Calendar No. 531, K. Terry Dornbush, of Georgia, to be Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to
the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Calendar No. 534, Thomas L. Siebert, of Maryland, to be Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to
Sweden.
Calendar No. 535, Sidney Williams, of California, to be Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to
the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The nominations were considered, and confirmed, en bloc.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The President will be immediately notified of
the Senate's action.
Mr. PELL. Madam President, the Senate has pending before it the
following nominations: K. Terry Dornbush to be Ambassador to the
Kingdom of the Netherlands; Thomas L. Siebert to be Ambassador to
Sweden; Sidney Williams to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the
Bahamas; and M. Larry Lawrence to be Ambassador to Switzerland.
Mr. Dornbush's nomination was submitted to the Senate on October 14,
1993. The Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on November 17,
and on November 18, by a vote of 14 to 6, favorably reported out the
nomination with the recommendation that it be confirmed.
The nomination of Mr. Siebert was received by the Senate on October
14, 1993. A hearing was held by the committee on November 10 and on
November 18, by a vote of 12 to 8, the nomination was favorably
reported out of committee with the recommendation that it be confirmed.
The nomination of Mr. Williams was sent up to the Senate on October
14, 1993. A hearing was held on November 16 and on November 18, by a
vote of 14 to 6, the committee favorably reported out the nomination.
The nomination of Mr. Lawrence was submitted on October 25, 1993. A
hearing was held on November 10. On November 18, the committee voted 10
to 10 on a motion to favorably report Mr. Lawrence's nomination to the
Senate with the recommendation that it be confirmed. Upon failure of
this motion to pass, the committee, by voice vote, agreed to report the
nomination to the full Senate without recommendation.
It is important for the Senate to confirm these nominations today.
Each of the four important posts has been vacant for some time. The
United States has been without an ambassador to Sweden since August
1992; our last ambassador to The Hague left post more than 1\1/2\ years
ago; and the Bern and Nassau posts have been vacant since last March. I
believe it is detrimental to U.S. foreign policy for us not to have had
representation at the ambassadorial level for such a long period of
time.
The United States has worked closely with the Bahamian Government on
counternarcotics issues--the most important issue in the bilateral
relationship--and our countries have enjoyed good relations. However,
at this time the U.S. counternarcotics strategy in the Caribbean is
uncertain and the nature of cooperation may change. Having a U.S.
ambassador in place as that relationship changes will be critical to
easing the transition.
In the post-cold-war era, we are working very closely with Sweden on
such issues as reform in the Baltic countries, the conflicts in Somalia
and in the former Yugoslavia, the Conference on Security and
Cooperation in Europe [CSCE], and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. It
is in the United States interest to expand our bilateral cooperation in
these and other areas, but to do so effectively, we need a strong
spokesman for U.S. policy resident in Stockholm. We also should be
creating opportunities for enhanced United States exports to Sweden's
relatively open economy, and to protect United States economic
interests as Sweden concludes an accession agreement with the European
Union. Again, the absence of a U.S. ambassador reduces U.S. presence
and influence.
It is my understanding that the absence of a United States ambassador
is a topic of regular media and public comment in Holland, our NATO
ally, and an active member of the European Union. At a time when the
Netherlands and the rest of NATO are reassessing their role in Europe,
discussing how we should build bridges with the countries of Eastern
Europe, and considering how to respond to the crisis in former
Yugoslavia, I believe that it is important for us to have an ambassador
at The Hague. As President Clinton noted when he welcomed Prime
Minister Lubbers to the White House on January 4, our relationship with
the Netherlands spans the full range of European and international
security issues as well as trade, economic, and commercial issues.
The United States has important economic and political interests at
stake in Switzerland. United States exports to Switzerland approach $5
billion annually, and an activist United States ambassador could help
us do even better. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union,
and according, it, more than some other European countries, looks to
the United States for expanded trade and investment ties, which can
translate into American jobs. On the political front, Switzerland is
reassessing its participation in regional and international affairs--in
export control regimes, anticrime and terrorism activities, security
cooperation, reform in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and
aid to Middle East peace. A United States ambassador in place will
strengthen our diplomatic effort to encourage Switzerland to become an
active partner in these and other areas.
I ask unanimous consent that the certificates of competence submitted
to the committee with respect to each of these nominees together with
appropriate biographical material be printed in the Record. I urge my
colleagues in the Senate to vote to confirm these pending nominations.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
K. Terry Dornbush
biographic summary
Name: K. Terry Dornbush.
Position for which considered: Ambassador to The Kingdom of
The Netherlands.
Present position: Private Investor.
Legal residence: Georgia.
Office address: Atlanta, Georgia.
Date/place of birth: October 31, 1933; Atlanta, Georgia.
Home address: Atlanta, Georgia.
Marital status: Married.
Name of spouse: Marilyn Pierce Dornbush.
Names of Children: Laura D. Iarocci; Kirk T. Dornbush, Jr.;
Claire D. Archer.
Education: B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1951-55; Emory
University School of Law, 1955-56, no degree; New York
Institute of Finance, 1956-57, Security Analysis.
Language Ability: Currently enrolled at FSI for Dutch
Language training; German (Limited).
Military experience: U.S. Army Reserve--436th Civil
Affairs; Military Government Company, 1957-65; Active Duty:
April--October 1957.
Work experience:
1989--Present: Private Investor, Atlanta, Georgia.
1970--Present: Director, New York Venture Fund, (and
subsequently acquired or formed) Retirement Planning Funds of
America, Inc., Ventgure Income Plus, Inc. and Venture Muni
Plus, Sante Fe, New Mexico and New York, NY.
1971--Present: General partner, Stephens Woods Associates,
Atlanta, Georgia.
1979--Present: General Partner, Yulee Limited Partnership,
Atlanta, Georgia.
1986-Present: General Partner, Triangle Investment Limited
Partnership, Nassau County, Florida.
1983-Present: General Partner, Dorn Associates, Atlanta,
Georgia.
1981-Present: General Partner, KTR, Limited, Atlanta,
Georgia.
1981-Present: Proprietor, The Dornbush Company, Atlanta,
Georgia.
1988-1990: Chairman of the Board, The Dornbush Group, Inc.,
Atlanta, Georgia.
1988-1990: Director, The Dornbush Group System, Inc.,
Atlanta, Georgia.
1988-1990: Director, The Dornbush Group International,
Inc., Atlanta, Georgia.
1983-1990: Director, Knight Transportation Company, Inc.,
Atlanta, Georgia.
1976-1990: Director, Southeastern Bonded Warehouses, Inc.,
Atlanta, Georgia.
1981-1990: Director, WFI Transport, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia.
1988-1990: Vice Chairman of the Board, American Western
Corporation, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
1980-1989: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dixie Bag
Company, Atlanta, Georgia.
1978-1986: President, Egmont Investment Company, Atlanta,
Georgia.
1981-1987: President, DOAG USA Inc (subsidiary of DOAG
Warenhandels, AG, Hamburg, Germany).
1978-1986: Chairman of the Board, Thermo-Materials
Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia.
1975-1980: Founder, Director, Chairman of Audit and Finance
Committees, First Women's Bank, New York, New York.
1968-1974: Executive Committee, Board of Directors;
Consultant; Hickory Furniture Company, Hickory, North
Carolina.
1955-1969: Partner, Corporate Finance Department, Courts
and Company, Atlanta, Georgia.
Organizational affiliations: Capital City Club; Cathedral
of St. Phillip (Episcopal), Atlanta, Georgia; Skin Cancer
Foundation Advisory Council; Vanderbilt University Alumni
Board of Directors.
____
REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, UNITED STATES SENATE
Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of
Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section
304(a)(4).
Post: Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Candidate: K. Terry Dornbush.
Kirk Terry Dornbush is a private investor and successful
businessman in Atlanta, Georgia. His career encompasses more
than 35 years of experience in corporate finance,
international business, banking, real estate and
entrepreneurial endeavors. Since 1970, he has been Director
of New York Venture Fund. Mr. Dornbush is a General Partner
with the following groups: Stephens Woods Associates, Yulee
Limited Partnership, Triangle Investment, Dorn Associates,
and KTR, Limited. In addition, since 1981 he has been
Proprietor of The Dornbush Company. From 1980 to 1989, Mr.
Dornbush was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Dixie Bag Company. In 1975, he founded the First Women's Bank
of New York and served as a Director until 1980.
Mr. Dornbush also is active in civic causes. He is on the
Skin Cancer Foundation Advisory Council and is member of the
Cathedral of St. Phillip. Mr. Dornbush has established
fellowships for graduate work in economics at Vanderbilt
University and for post-doctoral work in child
neuropsychology at Georgia State University. In addition, he
is on the Vanderbilt University Alumni Board of Directors.
Mr. Dornbush was born on October 31, 1933 in Atlanta. He
graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1955 and attended the
Emory University School of Law from 1955 to 1956. From 1956
to 1957, Mr. Dornbush attended the New York Institute of
Finance. He is married and has three children.
Mr. Dornbush's extensive and successful business and civic
experience make him an excellent candidate for United States
Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
____
Thomas L. Siebert
Biographic Summary
Name: Thomas L. Siebert.
Position for which considered: Ambassador to Sweden.
Present position: Of Counsel, Besozzi, Gavin & Craven,
Washington, DC.
Legal residence: Maryland.
Office address: 1901 L Street NW., Suite 200, Washington,
DC. 20036.
Date/place of birth: May 2, 1946, Cleveland, Ohio.
Home address: Annaplis, Maryland.
Marital status: Married.
Name of spouse: Deborah Simpson Siebert.
Names of children: (age 14); Lauren Elizabeth Siebert (age
11); Thomas Leland Siebert, II (age 6); Trevor Chapman
Siebert (age 1).
Education: A.B., Georgetown University, 1968; J.D.,
Georgetown University Law School, 1972.
Language: French (moderate speaking/writing abilities).
Military experience: None.
Work experience:
1993--Of Counsel, Besozzi, Gavin, & Craven, Washington, DC.
1987--1993: Of Counsel, Besozzi & Gavin; Washington, DC.
1985--1987: Partner, Hennessey, Stambler & Siebert, P.C.,
Washington, DC.
1978--1985: Partner, Lovett, Ford, Hennessey, Stambler &
Siebert, Washington, DC.
1971--1978: Associate, Pittman, Lovett, Ford, & Hennessey,
Washington, DC.
1968-1971: Aide, Office of U.S. Senator Carl Hayden.
1966-1968: Volunteer, Office of U.S. Senator Robert F.
Kennedy.
1965-1966: Intern, Office of Congressman Robert E. Sweeney.
Honors/awards: Georgetown University Law School: Law Policy
in International Business Law Review (1970-1972).
Organizational/affiliations: Member, Board of Regents,
Catholic University, 1989--Present; Member, Board of
Visitors, St. John's College, 1989--Present; Member, United
States Naval Academy Midshipmen Program, 1989--Present;
Member, United States Naval Academy Catholic Church, 1977--
Present; Member, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1977--Present;
Member, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 1990--Present;
Member, Annapolis Association, 1989--Present; Member: The
District of Columbia Bar Association; Bar Association of the
District of Columbia, American Bar Association, and the
Federal Communications Bar Association.
____
report for the committee on foreign relations united states senate
Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of
Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section
304(a)(4).
Post: Sweden.
Candidate: Thomas Leland Siebert.
Thomas Leland Siebert has served Of Counsel in the law firm
of Besozzi, Gavin & Craven, and its predecessor, Besozzi, &
Gavin, in Washington, D.C., since January 1987. Mr. Siebert
was a Partner in another Washington, D.C., law firm for the
previous nine years. He worked in the office of U.S. Senator
Carl Hayden as an Aide from 1968 to 1971. Mr. Siebert also
worked as a volunteer in the office of U.S. Senator Robert F.
Kennedy from 1966 to 1968, and in the office of Congressman
Robert E. Sweeney as an Intern from 1965 to 1966.
Throughout his career, Mr. Siebert has been involved in
many civic activities. He has served on several PTA boards
since 1984 and is currently serving on the PTA board of the
Key School in Annapolis, Maryland. He is a member of several
community associations in Annapolis and Washington, D.C. Mr.
Siebert is currently a member of the Maryland Hall for the
Creative Arts and the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen Program.
Mr. Siebert was born on May 24, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio.
He graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1972,
and speaks and writes French moderately. He is married and
has four children.
Mr. Seibert's successful career as an attorney and his
extensive involvement in a number of civic activities make
him an excellent candidate for United States Ambassador for
Sweden.
____
Sidney Williams
biographic summary
Name: Sidney Williams.
Position for which considered: Ambassador to the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Present position: Sales Consultant, Mercedes Benz.
Legal residence: California.
Office address: 6353 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood,
California 90028.
Date/place of birth: March 24, 1942, Shreveport, Louisiana.
Home address: Los Angeles, California.
Marital status: Married.
Name of spouse: Maxine Waters.
Name of children: Edward K. Waters and Karen P. Titus
(Stepchildren).
Education: B.A., Southern University, 1964; M.S.,
Pepperdine University, 1973.
Language ability: None.
Military experience: U.S. National Guard, 1964-65 (active
duty); U.S. National Guard, 1965-70 (reserve).
Work experience:
1979--Present: Sales Consultant, Mercedes Benz, Hollywood,
California.
1983-1993: Speaker/Mentor to Youth Groups on events such as
King Holiday, Career Days, Black History Month.
1976-1979: Project Manager, City of Los Angeles Community
Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles, California.
1974-1976: Legislative Aide, Los Angeles City Council, 10th
District, Los Angeles, California.
1966-1974: Business Developer, Black Economic Union, Los
Angeles, California.
1964-1969: Professional Football Player: Cleveland Browns,
Cleveland, Ohio; Washington Redskins, Washington, D.C.;
Baltimore Colts, Baltimore, Maryland; Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Organizational affiliations: Member, Board of Directors,
Southwest Community College Foundation; Member, Alpha Phi
Omega Fraternity; Member, National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Awards: Member, Cleveland Browns 1965 NFL Championship
Team; Member, Athletic Hall of Fame, Southern University;
Recipient, 4-Year Athletic Scholarship, Southern University.
____
report for the committee on foreign relations united states senate
Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of
Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section
304(a)(4).
Post: Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Candidate: Sidney Williams.
Sidney Williams is a prominent figure in the publication
entitled, ``Men of Courage'', published by Carnation Company.
Mr. Williams' impressive accomplishments and community
service earned him recognition in this outstanding journal of
high achievers. A leading sales consultant with Mercedes-Benz
since 1979, he initiated new sales strategies that earned
record profits for his company. From 1976 to 1979, he was
project manager for the Community Development Agency of the
City of Los Angeles. He pioneered neighborhood revitalization
programs that involved resident planning, government low
interest rate loans and private sector contractors. His
superb negotiating skills resulted in significant home
improvements for numerous families and neighborhood
revitalization.
Mr. Williams also served as legislative deputy in the Los
Angeles City Council from 1974 to 1976. He researched and
crafted legislation, organized legislative hearings and
assisted in budget preparation.
From 1966 to 1974, Mr. Williams was a business developer
for the Black Economic Union where he assisted in the
development of business plans for small business owners and
capital formation for struggling entrepreneurs.
In addition, Mr. Williams developed strong discipline,
strategic thinking and negotiating skills as a professional
football player for the Cleveland Browns and the Washington
Redskins of the National Football League from 1964 to 1969.
Mr. Williams serves on the Board of the Southwest Community
College Foundation, and is a past board member of the Kazi
House, a drug abuse and rehabilitation center and past board
member of the Minority Junior Golf Association.
Mr. Williams has travelled with the L.A. Rams football team
to England, Germany, and Japan as special adviser to Rams
owner Georgia Fontiere. He has also assisted in the
negotiations and the production and operations of the games
in those countries.
Mr. Williams was born on March 24, 1942 in Shreveport,
Louisiana. He graduated from Southern University in 1964 and
received his M.S. from Pepperdine University in 1973. He is
married.
Mr. Williams and his family have spent many of their
vacations in the Bahamas. He has a deep respect for the
Caribbean culture and will make an outstanding representative
for the President to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
____
report for the committee on foreign relations, united states senate
Subject: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of
Demonstrated Competence--Foreign Service Act, Section
304(a)(4).
Post: Switzerland.
Candidate: M. Larry Lawrence.
M. Larry Lawrence is a successful businessman and active
civic leader in California. Since 1986, he has served as the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel del
Coronado Corporation. From 1963 to 1986, Mr. Lawrence was
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Del
Properties Incorporated. Prior to 1963, he was a top
executive with a number of different real estate companies.
Throughout his career, Mr. Lawrence has been very active
with community groups in San Diego and with other national
civic organizations. He is on the National Advisory Board of
the Center for National Policy and, since 1972, has been the
Chairman for the Israel Bond Campaign. He was a member of the
Task Force on Housing for the Urban Coalition and, from 1984
to 1985, Mr. Lawrence was Vice Chair of the Nobel Peace Prize
Nominating Commission. He has received a number of honors
including the Outstanding Community Leadership Award from San
Diego State University and the Gold Medal commemorating the
40th Anniversary of the State of Israel.
Mr. Lawrence was born on August 16, 1926 in Chicago. He
attended the University of Arizona from 1945 to 1947. He is
married and has four children.
Mr. Lawrence's long involvement in business, civic and
public service activities and his close relationship with the
President make him an excellent candidate for United States
Ambassador to Switzerland.
biographic summary
Name: M. Larry Lawrence.
Position for which considered: Ambassador to Switzerland.
Present position: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer;
Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, California.
Legal residence: California.
Office address: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, California
92118.
Date/place of birth: August 16, 1926, Chicago, Illinois.
Home address: Coronado, California.
Marital status: Married.
Name of spouse: Shelia Davis Lawrence.
Number of children: Leslie Ann Caspi, Robert Scott
Lawrence, Andrea Sue Lawrence, Stephanie Kinnamon Lawrence.
Education: University of Arizona, 1945-47.
Language: None.
Military experience: United States Merchant Marines, 1944-
45.
Work experience:
1986-Present: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hotel
del Coronado Corporation.
1963-86: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Del Properties Incorporated.
1960-63: Owner and Chief Executive Officer, M. Larry
Lawrence & Associates.
1954-60: Vice President, Tri-W Builders.
1950-54: Vice President, Great American Homes.
1948-50: President, Century Incorporated.
Honors/awards: Rotary, Paul Harris Fellow; Who's Who in
America; California; World Jewry; Man of the Year, City of
Coronado and County of San Diego; San Diego Citizen of the
Year; Recipient, Alumni Achievement Award, University of
Arizona; Recipient, Israel 40th Anniversary Gold Medal;
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society; Outstanding Community
Leadership Award, San Diego State University; The Alexis
de Tocqueville Society-United Way; Israel Bonds Prime
Minister's Club; Recipient, Russian Federation 40th
Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War
Medal; Man of the Year, Saint Vincent de Paul Village.
Memberships/affiliation: National Advisory Board, Center
for National Policy; Chairman, Economic Advisory Board of San
Diego County, San Diego, California; Charter Member,
California State Senate Commission on Efficiency and Cost
Control in State Government; Life Member, the Guardians;
Charter Life Member, San Diego University History Research
Center; Navy League of the United States, 1976-84; Chairman,
Israel Bond Campaign, 1972-93; Director, Greater San Diego
Sports Association, 1980-84; Director, Vietnam Veterans
Leadership Program of San Diego, Inc., 1980-84; Vice Chair,
Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Commission, 1984-85; Life
Member, President's Club, University of San Diego; John F.
Kennedy Library Foundation Board; President's Council,
Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, 1984-93; The American
Israel Public Affairs Committee Board, 1980-89; International
Center for Development Policy, 1987-88; The Wellness
Community Advisory, 1987-89; American Merchant Marine
Veterans Association, 1975-93; Executive Committee, The Joan
Kroc Hospice Center, 1987-88.
Mr. DODD. Madam President, I rise in support of the nomination of
Sidney Williams to be the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth
of the Bahamas and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this
nomination.
While there is no simple formula for a U.S. ambassador, there are
certain qualities we look for in any candidate for such a position. We
expect our ambassadors to have an ability to negotiate, an ability to
listen and learn, and a solid record of achievement.
It is in this context that we consider Sidney Williams to be our
Ambassador to the Bahamas. The Bahamas is perhaps not commonly regarded
as our most strategic or our most essential ally in this hemisphere.
But our relations with the Bahamas are very important to be sure,
especially in the context of the illicit drug trade and the need for
the Bahamas' continued cooperation in stemming that evil tide.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Williams has had a wide range of
professional experiences, from playing professional football to helping
small businesses to working in local government. And there is ample
evidence to suggest that he has done them well. This wide range of
activities and experiences will no doubt serve him well in his new
position should he be confirmed as our Ambassador to the Bahamas.
Since 1979, Mr. Williams has been a leading sales consultant with
Mercedes-Benz, helping to formulate and to implement new sales
strategies. From 1976 to 1979, he served as the project manager for the
Community Development Agency of the city of Los Angeles, pioneering
neighborhood revitalization programs. From 1974 to 1976, Mr. Williams
served as a legislative deputy in the Los Angeles City Council, where
he researched and crafted legislation, organized legislative hearings,
and assisted in budget preparation.
From 1966 to 1974, Mr. Williams served as a business developer for
the Black Economic Union, where he assisted in the development of
business plans for small business owners and capital formation for
struggling entrepreneurs. And from 1964 to 1969, Mr. Williams played
professional football for a number of teams, including the Cleveland
Browns, the Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Colts.
Last November, I chaired a hearing on Mr. Williams in the
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs. I have also had the
pleasure of meeting and getting to know Mr. Williams throughout the
course of the nomination process. On the basis of these and other
discussions with the nominee, I am confident that Sidney Williams will
do an effective and capable job as our representative in the Bahamas,
and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this nomination.
____________________