WASHINGTON - Thank
you, Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Hatch, and Members of this Committee for
the opportunity to appear before you today in connection with my nomination to
be the General Counsel of the Treasury Department.
I am deeply honored that President Obama nominated me for
this position, and I am grateful to Secretary Geithner for recommending me to
the President.
I would like to begin by introducing my family: my wife, Stella; my daughter, Nora; and my new
son, Elliot. As you know, public service
places great demands on one’s family – and I am very thankful to my family for
their constant love and support. I would
like to introduce my mother, Mary Ann Meade, and acknowledge my father, Bill
Meade, who passed away a few years ago. I
would also like to acknowledge my friends and colleagues who are here with me
today.
My parents instilled in me a deep commitment to public service
– a value that I hope to pass on to my children. This commitment has been reinforced throughout
my career. At the beginning of my
career, I had the honor and privilege to serve as a law clerk to Justice John
Paul Stevens and to Judge Harry T. Edwards of the D.C. Circuit. They are not only great jurists; they are great
public servants. I spent the core of my
legal career as a partner at a law firm that is deeply committed to public
service. I learned from many great
lawyers there, including many who have served our country with distinction.
I have spent nearly three years serving as the Principal Deputy
General Counsel at Treasury. The scope
of legal issues within Treasury is vast, ranging from domestic and
international economic affairs, terrorist financing and enforcement, tax,
ethics, and administrative law. My
service has given me great respect for the Treasury Department and, in
particular, for the talent and expertise of the career lawyers at Treasury.
If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with
Congress, and especially Members of this Committee. I have enormous respect for this institution,
and it is an honor to appear before you today.
I am committed to maintaining a close working relationship between Treasury
and Congress.
Mr. Chairman, I am grateful to you for bringing me before
this Committee, and I would be pleased to respond to any questions that you or
other Members of this Committee may have.
Thank you.
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