At Senate Hearing, Romney Introduces Nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Kenya

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today introduced Meg Whitman, nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, at her nomination hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Romney’s remarks can be found below.

It is my great honor today to introduce Meg Whitman to the committee and offer my full support for her nomination to serve as our nation’s next Ambassador to Kenya.

I’ve known Meg for more than 40 years. We first met at Bain and Company early in her career. Throughout these past four decades, I’ve watched Meg build an extraordinary career.

As President and CEO of Hewlett Packard beginning in 2011, Meg worked to rebuild the legendary American technology company after it fell behind in a changing world. As a result of her efforts, Hewlett Packard companies continue to thrive today.

From 1998 until 2008, Meg was President and CEO of eBay, a company that helped create e-commerce as we know it. When Meg arrived at eBay, it was a small company with 30 employees and $4 million in revenues. When she left 10 years later, eBay had 15,000 employees and $8 billion in revenues. Many of the employees hired and mentored by Meg at eBay went on to lead other great technology companies.

Meg graduated from Princeton University in 1977 and Harvard Business School in 1979. While that may not seem like that a long time ago for some of us, it was a different era. At a time when women were just beginning to break through many glass ceilings, Meg charted her own path—consistently delivering results, working hard, and expanding her wealth of knowledge.

There is little doubt that Meg has had great success, but just as important, she has earned a reputation for ethical, principled behavior. She listens to the views of others and is eager to make her community, our country, and the world a better place. Meg has also been active for many years in philanthropic causes centered on education and the environment.

Meg and her husband, Dr. Griff Harsh, have been devoted to one another for more than 40 years. While they’ve helped one another build fulfilling careers, they’ve also created a terrific family together—which is the most important. Meg will tell you that her greatest accomplishment in life has been to raise two wonderful sons.

We all agree that America currently faces enormous challenges across the globe. We also agree that we need our best and brightest to represent America’s ideals and interests. Meg Whitman is expertly suited to take on the hard work of organizing our mission in Kenya and working closely and cooperatively with our Kenyan partners.

The United States and the global community desire a prosperous, advancing Africa, and Kenya must play a pivotal role in stabilizing and sustaining the region. America needs Meg Whitman’s character, judgment, and sheer determination deployed to Kenya as soon as possible.

I urge this committee and my Senate colleagues to support Meg Whitman’s swift confirmation.