Senator Pete Domenici's Legacy 2011: The Proceedings from the 2011 Pete V. Domenici Public Policy Conference

By Sara Micka Patricolo

Senator Pete V. Domenici (R-NM) served in the U.S. Senate for over thirty-six years. He had a long legacy of contributions to New Mexico as well as the entire country. The Pete V. Domenici Public Policy Institute, located at New Mexico State University, holds an annual conference on Domenici’s legacy and these are the Proceedings from the 2011 Pete V. Domenici Public Policy Conference, edited by Sara Micka Patricolo, and published in collaboration with New Mexico State University.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781936744602

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Copyright © 2012, 2014 New Mexico State University

Published by Rio Grande Books

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Cataloging Information

Pete V. Domenici Public Policy Conference (4th : 2011 : New Mexico State University)

Senator Pete Domenici’s legacy : the proceedings of the 2011 Pete V. Domenici Public Policy Conference / Sara Micka Patricolo, editor.

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-936744-15-2 (pbk. : alk. paper)

ISBN 978-1-936744-60-2 (ebook formats)

1. Domenici, Pete--Influence--Congresses.

2. Domenici, Pete--Political and social views--Congresses.

3. United States--Politics and government--1989---Congresses.

4. United States--Politics and government--1945-1989--Congresses.

5. United States--Social policy--1980-1993--Congresses.

6. United States--Social policy--1993---Congresses.

7. Legislators--United States--Biography--Congresses.

8. United States. Congress. Senate--Biography--Congresses.

I. Sara Micka Patricolo. II. Title.

Contents

Domenici Public Policy Conference

Opening and Welcome

Session 1: Science and Technology

Session 2: Health Care Reform

Session 3: Health Care Reform

Session 4: Health Care Reform

Session 5: Remarks on State Issues

Session 6 : National Debt

Session 7: Cyber Security

Session 8 : National Security

Documentary Premiere: Domenici

APPENDIX I

APPENDIX II

Proceedings from the Pete V. Domenici Public Policy Conference

August 31-September 1, 2011

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Domenici Public Policy Conference

Program Agenda

August 31- September 1, 2011

Wednesday, August 31

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Conference registration

10 a.m. Opening and Welcome

Master of Ceremonies: Garrey Carruthers, NMSU Domenici Institute Director and Dean of the College of Business

Posting of Colors by NMSU ROTC

National Anthem performed by the Pride of New Mexico Marching Band

The Pledge of Allegiance led by Cadet Captain Anthony Barcena

NMSU Fight Song performed by the Pride of New Mexico Marching Band

Invocation: Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, Roman Catholic Diocese of

Las Cruces

Welcome: Barbara Couture, New Mexico State University President

Greeting from Mayor Ken Miyagishima, City of Las Cruces

Greetings from U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman by Dara Parker

Greetings from U.S. Senator Tom Udall by Xochitl Torres Small

Greetings from U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce by Erica Sichler

10:45 a.m. Session 1: Science and Technology, Can America Compete?

Introduction: Senator Pete V. Domenici

Presenter: Norman Augustine, retired Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO

Student Panelists: Caroline Muraida, Staci Stanbrough, Jake Wellman, Kymbra Williams

11:45 a.m. Lunch

1 p.m. Session 2: Health Care Reform

Introduction: Nick Franklin

Presenter: Karen Ignagni, America’s Health Insurance Plans President and CEO

Student Panelists: Luke Gray, Jill Hoxmeier, Maribel Tellez, Patrick Waggoner

2 p.m. Session 3: Health Care Reform

Introduction: Regent Laura Conniff

Presenter: J. Mario Molina, M.D., Molina Healthcare President and CEO

Student Panelists: Melisa Danho, Carmen Solis Delgado, Kristina Medley

3 p.m. Session 4: Health Care Reform

Introduction: Provost Wendy Wilkins

Presenter: Tom Daschle, former U.S. Senator

Student Panelists: Julian Benavidez, Glenn Gavi, Jose Sanchez, Ahene Kwaku Sraha

4 p.m. Session 5: Remarks on State Issues

Introduction: President Barbara Couture

Presenter: Susana Martinez, New Mexico Governor

Student Panelists: Manuel Baca, Javier Milo, Kristina Padilla

4:30 p.m. Reception for conference attendees

Thursday, September 1

7:30 to 10 a.m. Conference registration

9 a.m. Session 6: National Debt

Introduction: Jason Grumet

Presenters: Pete V. Domenici, retired U.S. Senator and former Chairman of the Budget Committee with Alice Rivlin, Ph.D., Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and former Congressional Budget Office Founding Director

Student Panelists: Mandisa Bradley, Monica Bonilla Romero, Talal Saint- Lot, Nick Vottero

10 a.m. Session 7: Cyber Security

Introduction: Colonel David Krumm

Presenter: Michael Hayden, retired U.S. Air Force General and former CIA Director

Student Panelists: Owen Cortner, Mike Howland Davis, Melissa Trent

11 a.m. Session 8: National Security

Introduction: Colonel John Ferrari

Presenter: James L. Jones, retired Marine Corps General and former U.S. National Security Advisor

Student Panelists: Lindsey Gilbert, Austin Graham, Javier Rojo, Paulo Veltri

12 p.m. Lunch

12:30 p.m. Documentary Premiere: Domenici

Introductory remarks by Sam Donaldson, ABC News Contributor and Chris Schueler, Producer of Domenici

1:45 p.m. Closing remarks

2 p.m. Conference concludes

Domenici Conference Executive Committee

Garrey Carruthers, Chair; Sara Patricolo, Sharon Jones, Janet Green,

Janet Perez, Andrea Tawney

Sponsors

Domenici Public Policy Conference

Diamond Sponsors

Lockheed Martin, Sandia National Laboratories

Gold Sponsors

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

Bravo Mic Communications LLC

Merrill Lynch – Jamie Fletcher, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management – Private Banking & Investment Group,

The Armstrong Group

Molina Healthcare Inc.

Wells Fargo Bank

Silver Sponsors

Citizens Bank of Las Cruces

New Mexico Mutual

Presbyterian Health Plan

US Bank

Bronze Sponsors

Lovelace Health Plan

Sandia Science & Technology Park, Sherman McCorkle, Chairman

Stolar Research Corporation

Copper Sponsors

Advanced Care Hospital of Southern New Mexico/

Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern New Mexico

DW Turner Inc.

Jaynes Corporation

Friendship Sponsors

Van H. Gilbert Architect PC

Hon. James and Mrs. Ann Halligan

Mr. William and Mrs. Jan Keleher

KRWG TV/FM

Opening and Welcome

Dean Garrey Carruthers: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am Garrey Carruthers, director of Domenici Institute. Welcome to the fourth annual Domenici Public Policy Conference at New Mexico State University – the Yale of the Yuccas. I only say that when we have friends from the University of New Mexico here and we have a number of them including a number of students who are participating in our program. This is the largest registration we’ve ever had for the program; we have 850, about, people registered for the program. We have others trying to get in.

We’ll make room for them if we possibly can, but what we’re proudest most of is that our own students here at New Mexico State University and other universities have elected to come and sign up for certain sessions. So, we’ll have a lot of students for certain sessions, and then other sessions there may be less students; but, we’re expecting between five and six hundred at each one of our conversations. This is the first time, by the way, that we’ve ever had the session here in the Las Cruces Convention Center. Do you like the layout here? This is quite a deal.

We have to give credit to the voters, the city council, and New Mexico State University for developing this facility. We really need it in our community and we think the Domenici Conference is just one of many things that can use most of this capacity at least once or twice a year.

Now, I told the provost – is sitting over here – that this is the best conference we’ll ever have, and she said, Well, Garrey, you always say it’s the best conference you’ll ever have. That’s what you said last year – it’s gonna be the best conference ever.

This is going to be the best conference we’ve ever had. I will guarantee and, if you’ve looked at the agenda, you will find this is an amazing collection of speakers and we have to give credit not to myself and to my colleagues so much, as to Senator Pete Domenici who can arm twist as well now in retirement as he did when he was in the Senate. He picks up the phone and he calls Dr. Alice Rivlin – who’s up here [Applause] – he calls Dr. Alice Rivlin, who’s going to join us tomorrow for a conversation, and he just arm-twisted her into coming here, even though she’s had to divert herself from a vacation with her husband up in Canada, as I understand it. So, he is a powerful and persuasive senator in retirement. We count on him to continue to ask his friends to come and join us, and they do so. We’re going to continue to have this conference and have the level of speakers that we have.

Now, I want to acknowledge the organizers. Would the members of the committee, and probably most of them are standing up over here worrying about things, but – Sara Patricolo? Is Sara in the room? Sara Patricolo over here is our program manager. Give her a big hand for a lot of work. When you’re a one man band, as Sara is, you have to play awfully hard. We haven’t seen much stress in Sara until the last 24 hours. I don’t know why she’s getting stressed out; these things just kind of happen after you do good planning.

The members of the committee – I’ve seen members of the committee – Sharon, others, please stand. Give them a big hand as well for the organization.

Now, we do have some housekeeping items. There are refreshments at the back of the room. Again, just like the subscription to get here, they are $50 as well, to get a glass of water back there. Actually, there’s water and coffee that’s already sponsored so please help yourself. We have chosen in our format not to take breaks in between. We run sessions in their totality. You’re welcome to wander in and out – quietly, if you wish to – or to walk back and get some coffee or a glass of water should you so choose. The one thing we would ask you to do is to put your cell phones on vibrate, or take the battery out and give it to your next friend that you can count on getting the battery back from sometime. But, if you would not have the cell phones go off while people are talking, we would appreciate it very much.

I would also like to indicate to you that we do have a tradition at the Domenici Institute which I think the speakers like, but we certainly like, and I don’t know how or why we came up with it, but questions of the speakers are asked only by students. We have in the past been to conferences where you had people in the audience who wanted to ask questions, and so you hand them the microphone and they get up and give you a 10- or 12-minute spiel on their position on it before they get around to asking the question. We thought we developed this conference for students to be actively engaged in the conference. So I hope you’re not disappointed that you don’t get to ask your question, but what you ought to be appointed about is in fact we have about 20 or 25 very bright students from four different universities in attendance, and they have been working for a while, studying the issues, and they will be asking the questions of the speakers. Will the students from Western, Tech, NMSU, and UNM please stand up? [Applause]

Thank you students, thank you for participating. I think you will be absolutely impressed about how well the students ask questions and follow up with questions. So if I were a speaker here being evaluated by students, I would currently be terrified because they’re a lot sharper and smarter than we’ve ever been in our lives … delighted to have them here.

And now, let the show begin. First of all, I would like for all of you to stand. We’ll have the posting of the colors by the New Mexico State University ROTC. Please stand.

[The colors are posted; the PRIDE of New Mexico marching band performs The Star-Spangled Banner]

While you’re still standing, I’m going to ask Cadet Captain Anthony Barcena to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Anthony? –

Cadet Captain Barcena: [Recites The Pledge of Allegiance along with the audience]

Dean Carruthers: Thank you Cadet Captain. Thank you very much. And now, I’ll let you sit down, but you may get to stand up in just a moment because I need to tell you a story. Please sit down for just a moment.

The loyal Aggies – want the band to stay put – that’s our New Mexico State University band. Two or three weeks ago I lectured the executives at New Mexico State University on the Cowboy Code of Ethics. There are ten points of the code of ethics of which I won’t go over all ten of them now, but my favorite one is, We ride for the brand. That when you sign up for New Mexico State University, all of your personal issues and everything else aside, here at New Mexico State, we ride for the brand. And that kind of fits with an Aggie school, where we’re riding for the brand. And our brand happens to be Aggies, so we ride for that brand – the Aggie Brand – and now to play for us the Aggie Fight Song, one of the best musical groups in the world, the PRIDE band.

[The PRIDE of New Mexico marching band performs the NMSU Fight Song]

Thank you very much, Aggie Pride Band. To those students of ours who are sitting with your colleagues from other universities, you will have time during the day to teach them the words to that song. It’s a very – it’s almost the national anthem down here in Aggieland. I see the UNM students are showing a little reluctance to learn that song.

One of the most prominent citizens in our community – a spiritual, religious leader, but also a community leader – is a good friend of the university. He’s been here – I don’t know how many years. I know he came out of Texas because I read his resume, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of the Las Cruces Diocese. I’m going to ask Bishop Ramirez to come up and offer a prayer for us, but I will tell you that I had read that he was going to retire. So I broached that with the Bishop just a little while ago, and he said that the notification of his demise was premature – that he’s going to stick around for a long time, and we are delighted to have him as a member of our community, and one of our spiritual leaders. Would you please welcome Bishop Ramirez. [Applause]

Bishop Ricardo Ramirez: I never get applause at church. This is unusual. Thank you, Garrey – Governor – whatever we should call you. Somebody asked me the other day, After you retire, will we still call you Bishop?

I said, Of course.

Will you be allowed to get married?

"God forbid. [Laughter] Who would have me now?"

Just stay in your places and just bow our heads. Dear Father God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. We thank you for bringing us together this morning to celebrate the inspiring legacy of Senator Pete Domenici and his great generosity of spirit in his many years of public service. At times such as these, we are bewildered by the complexities and challenges that beset us. We look for easy answers to our many problems, but we find none. We seek wisdom from past experiences, but we quickly recognize that we are not in the past, and that much of what we face in the present seems to be in uncharted territory. Thus, we turn to you, gracious and mighty God. For you are the source of all that is truth, all that is right, all that is just, all that is of benefit to your sons and daughters. Help us to be united, that united we might share insights, gain confidence and trust, and together begin to find solutions to our myriad problems. May we not forget the poor, the elderly, the most vulnerable in our society, as well as our wounded women and men returning from war. We are here to dialogue, to speak the truth with love, especially with love for the people we serve. Most especially, we are here to listen, for listening is one of the greatest gifts we can offer one another, for everyone has something to learn, and everyone has something to offer. And so, Father God, encourage us, enlighten us. Make us hopeful for the future. Let nothing negative, nothing by way of bias or hopelessness diminish our enthusiasm for the potential and the love of our country. Be present with us to stay and guide us with the wisdom of your spirit. We pray in your most precious name, Amen.

Dean Carruthers: Thank you Bishop, thank you very much. We were delighted a couple of years ago that the Board of Regents selected a brand new president for New Mexico State University. She was actually selected about two years ago, but she hasn’t quite served two years – Dr. Barbara Couture. Dr. Couture came to us from the University of Nebraska where she served as chancellor, and where she admired the football team very much. So, when we hired her, we anticipated that like-kind performance of our football team – so buy football tickets. This is the year we’re gonna look like the University of Nebraska in football. Before that, Dr. Couture was at Washington State University, and previous to that she was at Wayne State University in Detroit. She has a doctorate of arts in English. She is a great leader of New Mexico State University and quite a community person. Would you please welcome the president of New Mexico State University, Dr. Barbara Couture. [Applause]

President Barbara Couture: Well thank you very much, Governor Carruthers, and dean of our College of Business. Governor Carruthers – dean of the College of Business – really does ride for the brand. Will you please give Governor Carruthers a hand for his work here at the university? And I want to thank you too, Governor, for that message of hope; and, Bishop Ramirez of course advised us to think hopefully. We are thinking hopefully about that football team this year, so buy your tickets, you’re going to see some wonderful things from them.

I am really delighted to be welcoming all of you here to the fourth annual Domenici Public Policy Conference. You know, New Mexico State University has this event every year to provide our community with information to stimulate our thinking about policy issues that are extremely important to our nation at every level. The conference brings students, scholars, public officials, and policymakers together to engage in discussion, debate, and other ways of communicating with one another on policy matters of regional, national, and international importance. And of course, the conference honors the contributions of retired Senator Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico’s longest serving U.S. Senator, and in the audience with us today – welcome Senator Domenici.

There are many officials and dignitaries to recognize here – many of whom are on the program – but I would like to take just a moment to recognize the three regents who are here today, regents of New Mexico State University. Regent Mike Cheney is in the room. Thank you, Mike. Regent Christopher Dulany is in the room. Thank you, Christopher. Just like a student, sitting in the back. Also, Regent Laura Conniff is with us, right up front. And, Regent Ike Pino. You can tell that our regents, too, think this is a quality event, recognizing the work at New Mexico State University and the way in which we contribute to our publics. We also have here locally – I’d like to recognize Mayor Ken Miyagishima who is here at the front table.

The Domenici Public Policy Conference topics for this year are extremely timely. We will cover the health care debate, the national debt crisis, cyber security, national security, and American competitiveness in science and technology; and after that, we have the tapes of all of these conference presentations. We’re going to send them to Congress, and they can all go home. We’ll have solved all of the problems we have in front of us. We’re very delighted to be taking a look at the most important issues that are facing us today.

We have an outstanding list of guest speakers. For instance, U.S. Senator Tom Daschle who championed health care reform while in Congress – he’s going to speak on that topic. Retired Air Force General Michael Hayden – as former director of the NSA and the Central Intelligence Agency, he’s going to speak on the subject he knows well: cyber security. And our own New Mexico governor, Susana Martinez, will provide an update on matters that are affecting our state. The conference will round out with the premier of the Pete V. Domenici documentary that will show tomorrow, following lunch. This documentary is focused on Senator Domenici’s life in public office. It not only captures the legacy of Senator Domenici’s accomplishments, but it also serves as a testimony to New Mexico’s participation in issues of national importance.

I want to thank each and every one of you for coming to attend this significant event. Dean Carruthers tells me that we have over 850 people who have signed up for this conference, and many of them are our own students who were encouraged to sign up individually. We hope the seeds of thought that will be planted here today will become solutions, as we said, to our problems tomorrow.

For you students, and I know you’re here in the front – those of you who are participating actively – by joining in, or simply by just listening on these topics of debate, you’re preparing yourself and educating yourself for the world challenges that are facing us all, and for the life that you will have in that world beyond college. For you faculty and staff members who are here today, you’re setting an outstanding example for the young minds at this university by being here together with all of us. And for our community members who took time out of your busy lives to be here today, by choosing to learn more about these issues, you’re supporting your neighbors, your schools, and your fellow community members, and New Mexico State University as well.

We’re so proud to continue NMSU’s tradition of national leadership in bringing important issues for public debate to the Domenici Conference, and to this great conference in this city of Las Cruces. Thank you very much for being here and for joining us. Go Aggies! Thank you. [Applause]

Dean Carruthers: Thank you very much. For those of you who do not live in Las Cruces, that’s too bad because it’s a great city to live in. We have high rankings in the top 10 and 20 across the country for a variety of things, and no one loves to brag more about Las Cruces than our own Mayor Miyagishima. Would you please welcome the mayor of Las Cruces, Mayor Miyagishima. Mayor? [Applause]

Mayor Ken Miyagishima: Thank you Governor. Good morning everybody, Senator and Mrs. Domenici, President Couture, Bishop Ramirez, distinguished guests, Governor Carruthers. He’s right. In fact, for those of you who haven’t had a chance to visit our farmer’s market, we are currently at the number one position in the nation. The voting ends tonight at midnight. I don’t have the link, but if you were to google vote for farmer’s market, you’ll find it, and please vote. That would be great for our city to be the number one farmer’s market in the whole country. So, what a great accomplishment. Many thanks to all of you.

I also want to welcome you here to Las Cruces and to our beautiful convention center. This is the first time that we’ve had a chance to have this great conference here. So Senator, this is what we all had envisioned when