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S. HRG. 111–1208 

HEARING ON THE NOMINATION OF JOHN R. 

FERNANDEZ TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF 

COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

HEARING 

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON 

ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS 

UNITED STATES SENATE 

ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

JULY 29, 2009 

Printed for the use of the Committee on Environment and Public Works 

( 

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys 
(II) 

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS 

ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

BARBARA BOXER, California, Chairman 

MAX BAUCUS, Montana 

THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware 

FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey 

BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland 

BERNARD SANDERS, Vermont 

AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota 

SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode Island 

TOM UDALL, New Mexico 

JEFF MERKLEY, Oregon 

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND, New York 

ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania 

JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma 

GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, Ohio 

DAVID VITTER, Louisiana 

JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming 

MIKE CRAPO, Idaho 

CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Missouri 

LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee 

BETTINA POIRIER, Staff Director 

RUTH VAN MARK, Minority Staff Director 
(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

Page 

JULY 29, 2009 

OPENING STATEMENTS 

Boxer, Hon. Barbara, U.S. Senator from the State of California ........................ 1 

Inhofe, Hon. James M., U.S. Senator from the State of Oklahoma .................... 2 

Lugar, Hon. Richard G., U.S. Senator from the State of Indiana ....................... 4 

Bayh, Hon. Evan, U.S. Senator from the State of Indiana .................................. 5 

Klobuchar, Hon. Amy, U.S. Senator from the State of Minnesota ...................... 6 

Bond, Hon. Christopher S., U.S. Senator from the State of Missouri, prepared 

statement .............................................................................................................. 19 

WITNESS 

Fernandez, John R., nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Commerce 

for Economic Development, U.S. Department of Commerce ............................ 8 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 10 

Responses to additional questions from: 

Senator Vitter ............................................................................................ 12 

Senator Baucus .......................................................................................... 14 

Senator Voinovich ..................................................................................... 16 

(1) 

HEARING ON THE NOMINATION OF JOHN R. 

FERNANDEZ TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY 

OF COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 

COMMERCE 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009 

U.S. SENATE, 

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS, 

Washington, DC. 

The full committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m. in room 

406, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Barbara Boxer (chairman of the full committee) presiding. 

Present: Senators Boxer, Inhofe, and Klobuchar. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BARBARA BOXER, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 

Senator BOXER. Good morning everybody. Today we are holding 

a hearing on the nomination of John R. Fernandez to be Assistant 

Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development at the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Mr. Fernandez comes to us today with a significant record of accomplishments. As the Mayor of Bloomington, Indiana from 1996 

to 2003, John Fernandez spearheaded innovative economic development plans that resulted in more than $400 million in private investment and created thousands of new jobs. I believe his experience will benefit EDA and the communities it serves. 

If confirmed for this position, he will be responsible for leading 

the Economic Development Administration, an agency whose mission is to help economically distressed communities create good 

jobs and build strong businesses. 

During this time of economic recession, we need a strong EDA 

more than ever. From providing funding for water and sewer improvements to helping manufacturers and producers become more 

competitive in a global marketplace, the EDA provides valuable assistance to communities across our nation. 

According to the EDA, the agency awarded over $1.2 billion in 

investments from 2004 to 2008. Those investments are expected to 

create more than 392,000 jobs at an average cost of $2,507 per job. 

Those Federal dollars—and this is important—also spur large 

amounts of private sector investment. Over the same timeframe, 

each dollar of EDA funding attracted $33. Each dollar attracted 

$33 in private sector investment. 
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In my own State of California, EDA has provided vital funding 

for several important projects that are creating jobs and revitalizing communities. For example, in 2007 EDA awarded a grant of 

$2 million to the city of Victorville to convert the former George Air 

Force Base into a multi-modal airport complex for light, medium 

and heavy industrial usage. This project is anticipated to create 

1,000 jobs and leverage $10 million in private investment. In 2008, the EDA awarded a grant of $3 million to the city of 

Calexico, which is on the border of Mexico, to construct water and 

street improvements for the Town Center Plaza and an industrial 

site. These improvements are expected to create 2,804 jobs and 

$395 million in private investment. 

Congress recognized the EDA’s unique role in job creation and 

economic development by providing its Economic Development Assistance Program with $150 million in the American Recovery and 

Reinvestment Act. Strong leadership is needed at the EDA to ensure that those funds are wisely spent to help economically distressed communities create and sustain jobs. 

Mr. Fernandez, I believe your many years of work on economic 

development issues will serve you well as you take on this challenge and I certainly look forward to your testimony today. 

I am going to turn to the Ranking Member and, as soon as he 

is done, your two illustrious friends, Senator—— 

Senator INHOFE. And we will look forward to that. 

Senator BOXER [continuing]. Senator Lugar and Senator Bayh 

will introduce you formally. 

Senator Inhofe. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES M. INHOFE, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA 

Senator INHOFE. Well, let me just identify with the statements 

of Chairman Boxer. I agree wholeheartedly with everything she 

said. In fact, I have a long, brilliant statement that I am going to 

spare you and enter it into the record without objection. 

Senator BOXER. Without objection. So ordered. 

Senator INHOFE. In my State of Oklahoma, this has been a real 

God-send. We have worked with Sandy Baruah and David Sampson. David Sampson used to come up there all the time. Every time 

we would start a program, he would actually come up and we 

would have a little ceremony together. And I hope that you would 

be doing the same thing and have the great pride in what you have 

done. 

In the State of Oklahoma, in the period of time that we had that 

authorization, we had $29 million that came in from Federal dollars. That was matched with $30 million of State money and $558 

million of private funds. Now this is what Government is supposed 

to be doing, and we just desperately need to get back and get this 

thing authorized. 

I can tell you about down in Elgin, Oklahoma, where we have 

the Paladin PIM rebuild job next to Fort Sill. That thing—as we 

are speaking today, they are building a 100,000-square-foot building down there in a town, that town is less than 400 people. So 

these are great success stories. Other places, Woodward, Oklahoma, certainly in the area of Southern Oklahoma that has always 
3 

been somewhat of a depressed area down around Durant, we just 

totally changed all that. 

Now, one thing, Madam Chairman, that Mr. Fernandez brings is 

that he and I both had the hardest job in the world. We were mayors of major cities. And I tell my friends up here all the time, Mr. 

Fernandez, that if you want a hard job, become a mayor. There is 

no hiding place. If they don’t like the trash system, it ends up in 

your front yard. And it did. 

So, we know it is tough and you have the right background for 

it. I am looking forward to this confirmation as quickly as possible 

so that we can get busy and get this thing reauthorized and get 

to work. 

Thank you. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Inhofe follows:] 

STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES M. INHOFE, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Good morning, Madam Chairman. I’d like to join you in welcoming John 

Fernandez and his family to our hearing today. I was able to meet with Mr. 

Fernandez last week, and I let him know that I am unaware of any objections to 

his nomination to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. 

In that position, he will lead the Economic Development Administration, an agency 

over which this committee has jurisdiction. I am pleased to have worked closely 

with former Assistant Secretaries Sandy Baruah and Dr. David Sampson to assist 

numerous communities in Oklahoma, and I hope to have a similar experience working with Mr. Fernandez as Assistant Secretary. 

I have long been a strong supporter of EDA. I believe the agency does an outstanding job of providing relatively small grants that help secure significant 

amounts of private investment in distressed communities across the country. Contrary to what some people would say, the Government itself does not—cannot—expand the economy and create long term jobs—the private sector does. 

What the Government can do, however, is help provide the right conditions for 

private sector investments to flourish. EDA does this in a myriad of ways, but primarily through infrastructure investments. I only wish more of the so-called ‘‘stimulus’’ bill had been dedicated to programs like EDA that are truly successful at 

spurring economic development. 

EDA has worked long and hard with economically distressed communities in my 

home State of Oklahoma to bring in private capital investment and jobs. In fact, 

over the past 6 years, EDA grants awarded in my home State have resulted in approximately 9,000 jobs being created. With an investment of about $29 million, we 

have leveraged another $30 million in State and local dollars and more than 

$558 million in private sector dollars. Specifically, since the fall of 2004 when we 

last reauthorized the agency, EDA investments in Oklahoma include: 

• assistance for infrastructure to support a 75,000-square-foot facility in Elgin for 

Paladin Integrated Management (PIM), which is a program that would accelerate 

modernization of the M109A6 Paladin artillery howitzer; 

• assistance to help build the Woodward Community Campus, a multipurpose 

higher education and conference center campus; 

• thousands of new jobs in Oklahoma City which paved the way to support the 

infrastructure necessary for a new Dell service center; and 

• funds to create additional space to manufacture and assemble goods in an expanded Foreign Trade Zone in the Durant area. 

Mr. Fernandez has been nominated to lead this high performing agency, and I believe he has the background and experience to make it even stronger. As a former 

mayor, Mr. Fernandez knows first-hand the economic challenges local communities 

face, and his economic development accomplishments as mayor are impressive and 

instructive. 

Yet local elected experience is not all the nominee will bring to EDA. He also 

brings experience in private sector development. In fact, it is unique for a nominee 

to combine local and private sector experience, which, I should add, was highlighted 

in the letter of support we received from two recent Assistant Secretaries—Sandy 

Baruah and Phillip Singerman. Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to include that letter in the record. 
4 

Mr. Fernandez, I hope that once confirmed you will work with us to reauthorize 

EDA’s primary programs. As I’m sure you know, EDA’s authorization expired on 

September 30, 2008. I am concerned that the lapse in authorization may leave the 

agency vulnerable to funding cuts during this appropriations cycle and more generally result in uncertainty for the agency as well as the struggling communities 

that depend on its assistance. 

I introduced a reauthorization bill in July 2008, and this committee reported a 

bipartisan bill in September. Unfortunately the bill was never enacted. In February 

of this year, I again introduced a bill to reauthorize and improve EDA’s programs. 

I think it is important that we complete reauthorization as quickly as possible, and 

I ask that, once confirmed, you work closely with us to do so. 

[The referenced letter was not received at time of print.] 

Senator BOXER. All right, we are going to now hear from our two 

Senators, then we will turn to Senator Klobuchar, and then we will 

turn to Mr. Fernandez. 

Senator Lugar, would you like to begin? 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD G. LUGAR, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA 

Senator LUGAR. Thank you very much, Chairman Boxer, Ranking Member Inhofe and Senator Klobuchar. 

I really appreciate this opportunity introduce to the committee 

John Fernandez, whom the President has nominated to serve as 

the Assistant Secretary of Economic Development for the Economic 

Development Administration. John is joined here today by his wife, 

Karen, and a host of proud relatives in celebration of this important achievement. 

John Fernandez is a well known Hoosier leader, especially in the 

Bloomington area. He attended Indiana University, where he received his Bachelor of Science from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He followed this academic pursuit by adding a 

Master of Public Affairs degree and Doctorate of Law, both from 

Indiana University in Bloomington. During this time, he also ran 

successfully for the Bloomington City Counsel and served as its 

president in 1991. 

After clerking for Indiana Supreme Court Justice Roger 

DeBruler, John entered private practice, and from 1996 to 2003 he 

served as the Mayor of Bloomington, Indiana. I enjoyed opportunities to visit with John during his annual trips to Washington, DC, 

with an esteemed delegation from the Bloomington area. I appreciated these opportunities to learn more about his activities and his 

leadership, and we worked together on projects of critical importance to that community. 

The EDA is an important asset to our local communities, especially today, given the exceptional challenges and stresses the current economic situation presents. The EDA works carefully with 

local and State organizations to revitalize infrastructure, provide 

technical and planning experience, and coordinate individual assistance for workers. 

In almost every instance where a community experiences considerable economic decline, shuttering factories, increasing rates of 

unemployment and a lack of investment for new business, there 

stands ready a tremendous collection of local talent, ability and resources that can be reinvigorated and retooled to new projects and 

new purposes. 
5 

Identifying and securing the needed investments and expertise to 

kick start economic development projects are often a challenge. The 

Federal Government, through the EDA, can be an effective partner 

by providing guidance and an avenue for competitive funding. In 

turn, communities are able to attract private investments, foster 

growth in new and innovative industries and provide new employment opportunities. 

Many parts of our home State of Indiana have suffered heavy job 

losses during this difficult time. The Elkhart-Goshen Metro Area in 

the Third Congressional District, for example, has a 17.5 percent 

unemployment rate according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Kokomo, Indiana has even a more severe labor problem. 

The Economic Development Administration will be a key player 

in assisting these communities. John’s experience as a city council 

member and as a mayor is ideally suited for this type of leadership 

role. 

Chairman Boxer, it is my privilege to recommend a signal leader 

to address these critical challenges in Indiana and throughout our 

country. 

Senator BOXER. Senator Lugar, thank you so much for that wonderful introduction. We know you have a hectic schedule, so we 

really appreciate your being here. Feel free to leave whenever you 

need to. 

Senator Bayh, I was telling our friends that they all have on the 

same time this morning. I did not know whether that was 

planned—— 

Senator BAYH. We are en message, Madam Chairman. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator BOXER. You really are en message. Go ahead, Senator. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. EVAN BAYH, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA 

Senator BAYH. Thank you, Madam Chairman, for your hospitality and leadership this morning. Ranking Member Inhofe, and 

my dear friend Senator Klobuchar, it is good to be with all of you 

this morning. 

It is also wonderful to be once again with my friend and colleague, Senator Lugar. As you can tell by our presence, Mayor 

Fernandez enjoys strong bipartisan support because he has worked 

with Democrats and Republicans to help meet the challenges that 

face the people of our State. I am confident that he will bring that 

same devotion to consensus building and pragmatism to the Federal Government for this important position for which the President has nominated him. 

I have known John for almost 20 years. We have worked together, first in my capacity as Governor and now in the U.S. Senate, and in a variety of capacities that he has been privileged to 

serve in over all of this time. He is a man of integrity, intelligence, 

and as I have said, he focuses on the bottom line—how do we work 

together to help people; the public sector cooperating with the private sector to get the job done. 

I will skip over the part of my statement that deals with his academic background and the different posts that he has held. I 

thought Senator Lugar touched upon that very well. 
6 

Just to give you a couple of examples of the effectiveness that 

this individual will bring to the task of being Assistant Secretary 

of Commerce for Economic Development, I will just give a couple 

of those examples for the record. 

As mayor of Bloomington from 1996 to 2003, John played a critical role in revitalizing a town that serves as a major business center for our State, in addition to be the home of our mutual alma 

mater, Indiana University. Madam Chairman, we might call that 

the Berkeley of the Midwest. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator BAYH. During John’s first term, Thompson Consumer 

Electronics, at the time the largest private employer in Bloomington, announced plans to close its plant. Knowing the devastating 

impact such a closure would have on Bloomington, John acted 

quickly to keep Thompson alive, marshalling resources to produce 

a redevelopment plan that eventually led to $200 million in private 

investments and created hundreds of new jobs. Those are the same 

sorts of results that I would expect from his service in the Department of Commerce. 

John also played a major role in revitalizing and strengthening the business community in Bloomington, a plan that led to $100 

million of new investment in the city. This spirit of ingenuity and 

entrepreneurship that John so clearly possesses is exactly the approach that we need to get the economy moving once again today. 

Since leaving public service, as Senator Lugar pointed out, John 

has maintained a vibrant career in the private sector. He currently 

serves as of-counsel to the Indianapolis law firm of Krieg Devault, 

as well as Senior Vice President at First Capital Group in Bloomington. 

Despite the many demands on his time, John is a devoted husband to his wife, Karen, who is with us today, and the proud father 

of two children, Isabel and Ian. 

Madam Chairman, Senator Inhofe, Senator Klobuchar, I can 

without reservation recommend a fine public servant from our 

great Hoosier State, John Fernandez, for this important post. 

Thank you again for your courtesy this morning. 

Senator BOXER. Well, thanks to our two great Senators from Indiana, and you are free to leave. We are going to hear from Senator 

Klobuchar and then we will go to Mr. Fernandez. 

Senator Klobuchar, please proceed. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

Thank you and congratulations, Mr. Fernandez. If you have kept 

two great Senators like that on either side of you, it is a good beginning for you in your role. 

I did note that you went to law school at IU. My husband did 

as well, and in fact his parents met at Ball State in a ballroom 

dance class. So, there you go. Those are my Indiana connections, 

right there. 

I just wanted to stress how important I think your job is with 

Economic Development, especially at this time. I actually became 

more aware of the EDA’s programs just from going around my 
7 

State. I visit all 87 counties every single year, so we visit a lot of 

new developments and new projects. 

Just to give you a sense, and I know that you know what you 

will be doing in your job, but with one State what it means. Last 

year, I visited Superior Thermowood in Brainerd, Minnesota, and 

they told me that they got an EDA loan from the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission to buy equipment to treat wood in 

a novel, new way. Without the loan, they would never have been 

able to afford the equipment that they needed from Finland, and 

also they would not have been able to hire three new employees. 

So, it just gives you an example of how one project can make a difference. 

The EDA’s University Centers Program is another example of 

how EDA bridges the Federal Government and local resources. In 

my State, at the University of Minnesota–Crookston, which is kind 

of up near the Canadian border, they are home to an EDA University Center Program, and for 2009 they are focusing on a number 

of projects that my staff looked into including places that you probably never heard of, such as Tower, Minnesota, where they are establishing a new business incubator, and in Long Prairie, Minnesota, assistance for some recreational trails inventory. And tourism is very important to our economy in Northern Minnesota. 

EDA also helps communities recover after disasters. As you 

know, you heard about the floods in the Red River Basin, and there 

was a lot of focus on Fargo. Well, we like to call it the MoorheadFargo Area. Moorhead, Minnesota, had a lot of problems as well, 

and so we are hopeful that EDA officials will work with those communities as we go forward. I do not think it is any coincidence that $150 million were included in the American Recovery Act for EDA because the work is 

so important to our State, both in large urban areas but also in 

some of these smaller rural areas that I have talked about today. 

So I wanted to thank you for that. 

I am not going to be able to stay for questions. I have another 

committee hearing. But thank you, and congratulations. We look 

forward to working with you. 

Senator BOXER. Thank you, so much. 

And now we turn to you, Mr. Fernandez. And if you want to, 

once again, introduce your family. We would be honored to acknowledge them. 

Senator INHOFE. Yes, let them stand up. I want to see who all 

of these people are up there. 

[Laughter.] 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. We have quite a crew. 

On my left, this is Karen Hull; she is my cousin, and she came 

in from Elyria, Ohio. This is my Aunt Nina, Consuelo Puffer; she 

is my father’s sister, and she came in from Ohio as well. Next is 

my sister, Anamaria Shrock; she is here from Kokomo, Indiana. I 

think directly behind me is my cousin Jim Everhart, who is part 

of the Ohio group that is here. This is my—well I will save that 

for last. 

On my far right is Mary Clute. She is my brother-in-law’s mother-in-law who happens to live here in Washington, DC. Next to her 

are my brother-in-law’s wife, Christy, and my brother-in-law, Gavin 
8 

Howe. They both came in from Wilmington, North Carolina. Behind Gavin is Peter Clute, who is here from Washington, DC, too. 

He is Mary’s husband and Christy’s father. 

Senator BOXER. I love this. 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. I do have a cheat sheet. 

[Laughter.] 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Last, but not least, is my wife, Karen Howe. She 

actually came in from—she needed to take a ferry and two airplanes to get there, but she made it. So, I am very happy to have 

them all here today. 

Senator BOXER. That is wonderful. It is nice to have that kind 

of back-up. 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. You know, I missed a couple. 

Senator BOXER. You did? 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. I knew if I did this I was going to get in trouble. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator BOXER. Go ahead, go ahead. 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. I have eyes in the back of my head. I have two 

nieces here as well, Emily Shrock, she is from Kokomo, Indiana, 

and next to her is Elise Shrock, who is also from Kokomo. So, that 

is the family. 

Senator BOXER. So did he get everybody? Everybody’s OK? 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. And if there is anybody else, they can stand up 

who is not my family—— 

[Laughter.] 

Senator BOXER. Everyone in the room will be family and friends, 

so that is it. 

So please, proceed, Mr. Fernandez. 

STATEMENT OF JOHN R. FERNANDEZ, NOMINATED TO BE THE 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Thank you very much, Chairman Boxer, Ranking Member Inhofe, and Senator Klobuchar. 

I am honored to be here today as President Obama’s nominee for 

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. I really appreciated Senator Lugar’s and Senator Bayh’s presence here 

today. During my tenure as mayor, I could not have asked for better Federal partners. 

I want to thank President Obama and Secretary Locke for the 

tremendous trust they placed in me with this nomination. I think 

we all fully appreciate the enormous challenges we face as we work 

to restore America’s economy, and I share their sense of urgency. 

For 20 years I have been heavily involved in economic development. As an elected official, attorney and businessman, I have 

worked to create jobs and attract community investments. My extensive experience in the public and private sectors gives me a 

comprehensive understanding of how the Federal Government can 

play a meaningful role to help communities rebuild their economies 

and create a strong foundation for sustained economic growth. 

While I have been the mayor of Bloomington, Indiana, and spend 

my professional life grounded there, my roots are firmly planted 

elsewhere. I grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, in a relatively typical 

middle class family. I am a first generation American. My parents 
9 

came to this country to escape fascism. Their families arrived in 

America with little more than hope for a better life. 

Through their sacrifices, they provided my generation with tremendous opportunities. My father is a retired auto worker and my 

mother a retired nurse. They still live in Kokomo. 

As Senator Lugar mentioned, Kokomo today is reeling from the 

collapse of the domestic auto industry. The most recent unemployment figures for the region hit 19.7 percent. Home foreclosures 

have skyrocketed, and families there are experiencing profound 

fear for their future. 

There are far too many Kokomos in nearly every State across 

America. Places like Merced, Toledo, St. Louis, Lincoln County, 

Hughes County. We all know families in these communities, good 

people who have worked hard all their lives and now, due to immense economic forces beyond their control, they are unemployed 

and struggle not only to make ends meet, but to sustain hope. 

It is my belief that the Economic Development Administration is 

as well positioned as any Federal agency to provide the critical support these communities need. EDA has a long history of doing just 

such work. Often EDA’s work is very quiet and under the radar. 

Yet in the communities, large and small, where this agency has 

performed, the impacts have been significant and lasting. 

I was introduced to the EDA during my first term as mayor 

when RCA closed its Bloomington plant. One thousand two-hundred jobs were lost along with our largest property taxpayer. RCA’s 

decision left Bloomington with a 200-acre brownfield site and over 

2 million square feet of obsolete industrial buildings. 

Our community did pull together. We successfully applied for an 

EDA grant to fund a new road that significantly enhanced access 

to this intercity site. This modest Federal investment created the 

catalyst for transforming this obsolete industrial site into a thriving 21st century employment center. 

To date, the private sector has invested well over $200 million 

in capital improvements. We have replaced over half of the RCA 

jobs and restored stability to this area of the city. This is a classic 

example of the good works that EDA has been doing for over 40 

years all across America. 

These are truly challenging times for our country. I cannot imagine a more important calling than to be engaged in our economic 

recovery efforts. I am ready for this challenge. 

If I am fortunate enough to earn this committee’s support, and 

if I am confirmed by the full Senate, I will look forward to working 

with you, your colleagues and your staff and the very dedicated 

staff of EDA to help EDA live up to the agency’s mission, which 

is leading the Federal economic development agenda, promoting innovation, and preparing American communities for growth and success in our global economy. 

Chairman Boxer, I want to thank you again for the opportunity 

to address the committee. I look forward to your questions. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Fernandez follows:] 
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Senator BOXER. Thank you very much, Mr. Fernandez. 

I just want you to know that when Senator Inhofe and I—you 

know, when we differ, we differ. But when we agree, we strongly 

agree. And on this EDA program, we both believe it really is a 

transformational program. 

I think that we come out with very much the same attitude, that 

leveraging, leveraging other moneys with seed money from the Federal Government, is a very good way to go because you know then 

that it is like a check and balance on the program. It is not 100 

percent Federal funding. It just starts you off, and if it is a smart 

idea, you are going to attract these other funds. 

So we are looking forward to a reauthorization soon of the program. I also want you to know that when the President put together the stimulus project, I phoned Larry Summers to talk about 

the importance of this particular program, as well as the COPS 

funding. Those were the two that I talked about. 

I hope that as soon as you get into your job—and I have a sense, 

because the lack of attendance means that people are happy with 

this nomination, if I might tell you that. That is my feeling about 

it. If you move quickly, will you commit to us to let us know how 

those stimulus funds are moving out of the door? 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Chairman Boxer, absolutely. From my perspective, I think working with EDA to effectively get the stimulus dollars out into our communities is job No. 1. 

Senator BOXER. OK. Now, I just was curious. As mayor or as a 

developer, was there ever a time when you sought help from the 

EDA and they were unable to assist? I worry about the small, relatively small funding. So, do you have any examples of that? 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Well, Chairman Boxer, my experience, the one 

opportunity that we did pursue assistance was with the Thompson 

closing, the RCA closing, and we did not have any problems. There 

are limited resources, but you have got a very dedicated staff there, 

and if I am confirmed, I will certainly do all I can to make sure 

we are working as effectively and efficiently as we can. 

Senator BOXER. Good. So my last question is, tell us about the 

importance of public-private partnerships in restoring the economic 

stability of communities throughout the country. I think that is 

what is so unique about this particular program. 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Well, I would agree with you that leveraging resources—that using public funds to leverage private investment is 

a critical component to a successful economic development strategy. 

You know, the Government can only do so much in terms of creating jobs and growing the economy. That partnership with the private sector is essential. 

That has been our experience at home, and there are examples 

all over the country of where these modest investments can really 

be a tremendous catalyst for further private investment and job 

creation. So, I think it is at the heart of EDA, and it is a very 

sound policy. 

Senator BOXER. Very good. 

Senator Inhofe. 

Senator INHOFE. Thank you, Madam Chairman, and I think that 

you and I should share with him that you and I are going to try 
18 

to get this done a lot faster, getting the reauthorization done. So, 

we will be looking for you to help us in this respect. 

I want to tell you one thing to kind of look out for and try to get 

a commitment on this. Now and then—and this happened once in 

Oklahoma, so I am not pointing fingers outside of my own State— 

applications were made by a city for the use of these funds showing 

the leverage, showing the State commitment, showing the private 

sector. And when the funds got there, they used it for a different 

purpose. I personally went to—at that time it was Simpson, and I 

went to him, and I said I want this withdrawn. 

The commitment I would like to have from you is that you will 

not allow this to happen. If they go through this, any city, in Oklahoma, in California, or anyplace else goes through this, to make 

sure that the funds are used in the way that they are represented 

in the application. I think it is very, very important. 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Senator Inhofe, I would absolutely agree with 

that. Accountability is essential. Transparency is essential. If I am 

confirmed, I will certainly work with the EDA staff to ensure that 

is how we operate the agency. 

Senator INHOFE. That is good because in my State when this 

happened we had some of the other communities come and say, 

well, look, they did not do, you know, so that is the problem that 

you have. 

I want to correct something I said in the opening statement. I 

was talking about the 100,000-square-foot building in Elgin, Oklahoma. It is a 75,000-square-foot building, but still, in a population 

of 400, that is a lot of activity. 

I would only ask if there are any further examples that you 

would like to use, that you have dealt with this. We have many examples. I would say this. In Southern Oklahoma, in the city of 

Durant, that city has been totally revitalized. It is one that was 

looked upon as an impoverished area of the State. We have so 

many successful programs, almost all, three of them, that went 

through the EDA, that have just totally revised that city. And that 

is the kind of thing that can happen. 

Senator Boxer is right. She and I disagree, and we fight like cats 

and dogs on a lot of issues. On this, we are in unity. We want to 

get this done as soon as possible. 

So, I would only ask, Madam Chairman, if Mr. Fernandez has 

any other examples he wants to use, go ahead, this is your opportunity to do it. If not, I will get out of here, and we will try to get 

reauthorized. 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Thank you again, Senator Inhofe. I think there 

are a wealth of examples of where the EDA has been in small communities, been in large communities, investing and leveraging the 

kind of job creation and private investment that you are so supportive of. 

You know, my sense is that, if I am confirmed, one of the things 

that I would like to work with the staff to do is to make sure that 

we are telling that story. And in telling that story, not use it just 

as an opportunity to pat each other on the back, but rather to use 

it as an advertisement, if you will, of the tremendous potential that 

the EDA has to help Main Street businesses, to be a front door to 

the Department of Commerce and other initiatives that we can 
19 

bring to bear to those small and mid-sized businesses on Main 

Street, help them with innovation, help them with strategic development goals, and in the process rebuild communities and really 

build a strong economy. 

Senator INHOFE. Good. 

Senator BOXER. Well, thank you, Senator Inhofe. 

I just have some required questions for you. 

Do you agree, if confirmed by the Senate, to appear before this 

committee or designated members of the committee and other appropriate committees of the Congress and provide information subject to appropriate and necessary security protection with respect 

to your responsibilities as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 

Economic Development? 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. I do. 

Senator BOXER. Two, do you agree to ensure that testimony, 

briefings, documents, and electronic and other forms of communication are provided to this committee and its staff and other appropriate committees in a timely manner? 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Yes, Madam Chairman. 

Senator BOXER. Does that include the minority members? Because I know that Senator Inhofe feels strongly about that as well. 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. Absolutely. 

Senator BOXER. And do you know of any matters which you may 

or may not have disclosed that might place you in any conflict of 

interest if you are confirmed? 

Mr. FERNANDEZ. I do not. 

Senator BOXER. Excellent. 

Well, if there are no further questions. 

Senator Inhofe. 

Senator INHOFE. No further questions. 

Senator BOXER. Then we will close this hearing. We wish you the 

best, and we are going to move this nomination as quickly as we 

can. Thank you very much. 

We stand adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 10:32 a.m., the committee was adjourned.] 

[An additional statement submitted for the record follows:] 

STATEMENT OF HON. CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

Thank you, Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Inhofe, and of course thank 

you to Mr. Fernandez for coming before us today. 

First, let me congratulate you on your nomination. It is an honor that is indicative 

of your hard work and dedication. 

Being a former Governor, I am always happy to see people in a Federal role that 

have a good understanding of the local perspective. And with your many years dedicated to the city of Bloomington, I appreciate the perspective that you would bring 

to the Economic Development Administration. 

Additionally, it is my hope that your years on the on business side of economic 

development will allow you to better shape the EDA in a manner that provides businesses the opportunity to provide long term economic growth and sustainability for 

their communities. Both of these unique perspectives will serve you well in taking 

on many of the challenges that lay ahead. 

That aside, your pending confirmation comes at a critical period in economic development. With unemployment nearing double digits and small businesses 

throughout the country struggling to access necessary credit, I can’t overstate the 

importance of this position in moving the EDA and the country forward. 

As you know, the EDA is the only Federal agency that concentrates on private 

sector economic sustainability. While other agencies play an important role in help-
20 

ing communities on a short term basis, it is EDA that can provide immediate aid 

that can provide long term economic stability. So, if properly equipped and structured, EDA has a unique position to help this country reverse its economic direction. 

Missouri has numerous examples of how EDA can have an enormous impact on 

economic development. The EDA investment in initiatives across Missouri has 

worked to diversify our job base by focusing on high tech, high growth industries. 

This refocusing has allowed Missouri to compete globally for the private investment 

that attracts and maintain higher paying jobs in the area. 

For example, EDA awarded a $2.9 million grant as seed capital for the Center 

of Research, Technology and Entrepreneurial Expertise (CORTEX) in St. Louis. The 

Federal funds helped immediately leverage over $30 million to create a life science 

research and commercialization district that focuses on transforming scientific innovation into new companies to create jobs in the St. Louis urban core. In the long 

run, this research center is expected to encourage over $400 million in investment 

by concentrating the essential life science resources. 

Recently, the EDA also provided $1.7 million for the development of a MidwestChina air cargo hub in the St. Louis area. The development of this trade route will 

put St. Louis at the center of Chinese-U.S. commerce. By doing so, it will increase 

access for our U.S. exports, cultivate commercial opportunities, generate new jobs 

and provide sustainable economic development in a community that suffered the 

economic distress of a natural disaster. 

Under your leadership, I expect that success stories such as these will continue 

to add to the success of EDA. However, I expect you to lead EDA in a direction that 

will also allow the country to compete in an ever changing business climate. 

In the past, the symbol for economic growth and development was embodied in 

the bricks and mortar of buildings. They represented a place where people went to 

work and where business got done. However, while that ideal remains partially 

true, we are beginning to see a shift. 

The economic promise of this country is in the promise of ideas. It is in the patents being developed across the country in this nation’s incubators and laboratories. 

It is the recognition and development of potential new trade routes. 

By supporting these types of ideas, EDA will be investing in the job creation of 

tomorrow. We must provide EDA with the ability to empower these ideas in order 

to grow our economy and offset the economic strain of disaster. 

Additionally, I expect you to work toward a reauthorization of EDA in order to 

give them the tools necessary to build and sustain jobs and development in this economic climate. Such a reauthorization must include providing flexibility on local 

match levels during this time of economic hardship, focus on the economic development needs in rural communities and EDA staffing in local offices, and improving 

an efficient accessible revolving loan fund. 

I look forward to your testimony and hearing your ideas in how to tackle many 

of the obstacles ahead. Again congratulations on your nomination, and I look forward to working with you throughout the confirmation process. 

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