Introduction of R. Roger Majak to the Senate Banking Commitee at Confirination Hearing for Assistant Secretary for Export Administration
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am pleased to be here today to introduce R. Roger Majak at his confirmation hearing for the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration. As the committee knows, this position will require him to administer the U.S. export licensing program which is under the jurisdiction of the Senate Banking Committee. The export licensing program at the Commerce Department involves carrying out Congressional and Presidential policies to preserve U.S. national security by denying advanced technologies to potential weapons proliferators abroad with minimum disruption to legitimate trade.
Mr. Majak and his wife, Sally, are transplanted Virginians, having moved to Alexandria in 1985 with their two children Simon and Lydia. Professionally, Mr. Majak began his career on the Hill as a Congressional Fellow of the American Political Science Association in 1967. He served on the staff of Senator Joe Tydings of Maryland and Congressman Jonathan Bingham of New York. In 1969, he became Bingham's Chief of Staff, and from 1975-85 he was Chief of Staff of the House Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.
Mr. Majak's congressional experience will serve him well in this position. As Chief of Staff of the relevant subcommittee in the House, he has conducted and supervised congressional oversight of the very program and policies he has now been nominated to administer. In addition, the statutes he will be called upon to carry out, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act, the Export Administration Act, and the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, he helped formulate and pass during his tenure.
Mr. Majak also has experience in the private sector which is especially important for someone who is called upon to regulate U.S. businesses since it gives him an understanding of . how government affects business. He served as Director of Governmental Affairs for Tektronix, Inc. from 1985-1990 and in 1988 founded and was a partner in a land surveying business in Virginia.
I believe that Mr. Majak combines a unique understanding of the need of our high-tech
companies to export and be competitive in global markets and a strong commitment to national
security and the threats we face from terrorists and others who seek to misuse our most advanced
technologies. For this reason, I'm extremely pleased that the President and Secretary Daley
have selected a Virginian with the experience needed in this important position at the Commerce
Department, and I urge the Committee and the Senate to approve his nomination.
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am pleased to be here today to introduce Ms. F. Amanda DeBusk at her confirmation hearing for the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement. As the committee knows, the individual in this position is responsible for enforcing business and industry compliance with U.S. export laws, thereby protecting national security, foreign policy and public safety.
I am proud to say that Ms. DeBusk is a Virginia product although she currently resides in Potomac, Maryland with her husband Larry Franceski and son John. She was born in Chilhowie, Virginia where her 75 year old mother, Flora DeBusk Scott, still lives to this day. Educated in the Smyth County public schools, she was Valedictorian of her class at Chilhowie High School in 1974 and graduated surnma cum laude in 1978 from the University of Richmond where she is still actively involved and serves on the Board of Associates. Ms. DeBusk also received a J.D. from Harvard University.
A quick review of Ms. DeBusk's credentials indicate that she brings a wealth of experience to this position. Most recently, she was a partner in the international trade department of the law firm, O'Melveny & Myers, LLP where she has worked for the past 11 years. During this time period, she handled a variety of issues in the international arena, including extensive experience in antidumping, countervailing duty, escape clause investigations, and obtaining export licenses. She has represented clients in matters involving GATT, the World Trade Organization, and NAFTA and has practiced before the Department of Commerce, the United States International Trade Commission, and other agencies.
Mr. Chairman, I'm extremely pleased that the President and Secretary Daley have
selected a product of Virginia with the qualifications and experience needed in this position,
and I urge the Committee and the Senate to approve her nomination.
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