Executive Session

Floor Speech

EXECUTIVE SESSION -- (Senate - April 30, 2009)

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Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in support of the nomination of Thomas L. Strickland, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the Department of Interior.

Secretary Salazar and Thomas L. Strickland are both legendary Colorado public figures in their own rights, and I cannot think of any two people better qualified to provide leadership in the Department of the Interior.

Thomas L. Strickland was born and raised in Texas and later attended Louisiana State University, where he played football. He earned a J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas in 1977.

Early in Strickland's career, he worked for Colorado Governor Dick Lamm, and later became Lamm's director of policy and research. In Colorado, such a prestigious statewide policy position requires one to be well-versed in important issues affecting the West, and impacting public lands and water. In 1984, Strickland accepted a position at Brownstein, Hyatt & Farber, where he eventually became partner.

Strickland was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in both 1996 and 2002, but the seat eluded him, and though he lost both times to Senator Wayne Allard, Tom became well known throughout our State and he is extremely well liked and respected on both sides of Colorado's aisle.

After the 1996 campaign, Tom returned to his law practice.

In 1999, President Clinton appointed him U.S. attorney for Colorado. He assumed office the day after the Columbine High School massacre and
worked to enforce existing gun laws in the wake of that horrible disaster. He was cognizant of how important gun rights interests are, but at the same time, he firmly believed in enforcing gun laws and preserving school safety. He worked with Federal and local prosecutors to bring gun charges under State or Federal laws, whichever were most stringent.

Strickland also worked with the Hogan & Hartson law firm, serving as, managing partner for the firm's Colorado offices, and was a member of Hogan & Hartson's executive committee.

I was pleased when I first heard that President Obama and Secretary Salazar wished to make Tom such an integral part of their team. As a chief advise on fish, wildlife and parks issues, I know Tom will be a vital asset to my dear friend and predecessor Ken Salazar, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of his nomination.

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