NELSON STANDS UP FOR NEBRASKA BUSINESSMAN TONY RAIMONDO

WASHINGTON, DC – Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson delivered the following statement on the floor of the United State Senate about Mr. Tony Raimondo.

Below is the text of Senator Nelson’s floor statement:

“Mr. President, I rise today to come to the defense of a great friend and more importantly a great Nebraskan, Tony Raimondo.

“As we are all aware, Tony Raimondo was to be nominated this morning as the Bush Administration’s new manufacturing czar. Late yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Don Evans canceled the announcement, citing “scheduling conflicts.”

“Well, I don’t know why the White House got weak-kneed about Tony. It doesn’t make sense. I realize there have been speeches in this chamber today that are critical of Tony’s record as a businessman.

“I’m here to say HOGWASH.

“We all know that politics run the days around here. Yesterday was no exception. Today isn’t either.

“I’m not going to address what was said earlier. Everyone has a right to an opinion.

“Mr. President, no matter who the Bush Administration decided to appoint to this position, he or she was going to be run through the wringer. But I’m here to tell you that this Nebraskan isn’t going to watch another Nebraskan get treated like this.

“Tony Raimondo is a friend of mine and a former business partner of mine. He is not the anti-jobs CEO he has been painted out to be.

“Sure he has a company in China. He expanded there last year. In fact, I had the pleasure of being at the ribbon cutting at his factory there. Next week, I will be in Columbus, Nebraska – the headquarters of Tony’s business – Behlen Manufacturing. I’ll see many Nebraskans who are employed at Behlen or are related to someone employed at Behlen or at least know someone employed at Behlen.

“Tony is a respected member of the Columbus community. He is a Nebraska business leader. He has represented Nebraska businesses interests around the world and here at home as a prominent member of National Association of Manufactures. He is a good employer.

“Sure his business has struggled in recent years. It’s hard to find one that hasn’t. But he didn’t do what others have done. He is fighting to keep his business alive and well in Nebraska and in the other states where it is located. He’s fighting to save those jobs. He is fighting to not let down his employees, his community, his state and his country.

“He EXPANDED his business to China. He didn’t close it and move it to China. With his experience, I think he can show others how to keep jobs here at home and how to expand and diversify their businesses – saving jobs in America.

“Tony Raimondo should be held up as an example – not derided as a pirate.

“I’m not sure what is happening with the nomination at this point. Obviously there is the predictable partisan opposition. But what I’m not hearing is any alternative. Should we leave this important position empty and watch manufacturing jobs continue to decline? Or should we get someone in place to at least try to preserve those good paying jobs here in America?

“I came here to get things done, to do what’s right for Nebraska. I say we try. Tony Raimondo is not only a good choice for this position, but in my opinion he’s the BEST choice.

“I thank you Mr. President and I thank the distinguished Senator from the state of North Dakota for the time. Thank you.”

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	Press Release	March 10, 2004
NELSON STANDS UP FOR NEBRASKA BUSINESSMAN TONY RAIMONDO WASHINGTON, DC – Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson delivered the following statement on the floor of the United State Senate about Mr. Tony Raimondo. Below is the text of Senator Nelson’s floor statement: “Mr. President, I rise today to come to the defense of a great friend and more importantly a great Nebraskan, Tony Raimondo. “As we are all aware, Tony Raimondo was to be nominated this morning as the Bush Administration’s new manufacturing czar. Late yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Don Evans canceled the announcement, citing “scheduling conflicts.” “Well, I don’t know why the White House got weak-kneed about Tony. It doesn’t make sense. I realize there have been speeches in this chamber today that are critical of Tony’s record as a businessman. “I’m here to say HOGWASH. “We all know that politics run the days around here. Yesterday was no exception. Today isn’t either. “I’m not going to address what was said earlier. Everyone has a right to an opinion. “Mr. President, no matter who the Bush Administration decided to appoint to this position, he or she was going to be run through the wringer. But I’m here to tell you that this Nebraskan isn’t going to watch another Nebraskan get treated like this. “Tony Raimondo is a friend of mine and a former business partner of mine. He is not the anti-jobs CEO he has been painted out to be. “Sure he has a company in China. He expanded there last year. In fact, I had the pleasure of being at the ribbon cutting at his factory there. Next week, I will be in Columbus, Nebraska – the headquarters of Tony’s business – Behlen Manufacturing. I’ll see many Nebraskans who are employed at Behlen or are related to someone employed at Behlen or at least know someone employed at Behlen. “Tony is a respected member of the Columbus community. He is a Nebraska business leader. He has represented Nebraska businesses interests around the world and here at home as a prominent member of National Association of Manufactures. He is a good employer. “Sure his business has struggled in recent years. It’s hard to find one that hasn’t. But he didn’t do what others have done. He is fighting to keep his business alive and well in Nebraska and in the other states where it is located. He’s fighting to save those jobs. He is fighting to not let down his employees, his community, his state and his country. “He EXPANDED his business to China. He didn’t close it and move it to China. With his experience, I think he can show others how to keep jobs here at home and how to expand and diversify their businesses – saving jobs in America. “Tony Raimondo should be held up as an example – not derided as a pirate. “I’m not sure what is happening with the nomination at this point. Obviously there is the predictable partisan opposition. But what I’m not hearing is any alternative. Should we leave this important position empty and watch manufacturing jobs continue to decline? Or should we get someone in place to at least try to preserve those good paying jobs here in America? “I came here to get things done, to do what’s right for Nebraska. I say we try. Tony Raimondo is not only a good choice for this position, but in my opinion he’s the BEST choice. “I thank you Mr. President and I thank the distinguished Senator from the state of North Dakota for the time. Thank you.” -30- ###