smithador daniel bennett has served in a variety of positions at the state department, most recently as ambassador to greece, but also as executive secretary of the department, principled secretary for consular affairs and an istanbul,ost in bern, stockholm. he has a rank of career minister. the position to which ambassador smith has been nominated, the assistant secretary for islligence and research -- its primary customers are the senior leaders of the state department. the assistant secretary for i &r has one foot in each camp, both as a leader and a briefer to the secretary. he is also the conduit between the intelligence community and the state department and is responsible for ensuring that our intelligence activities in the conduct of our foreign policy are coordinated and compatible. i am particularly pleased to note -- and mind that i said note and not gloat -- that both nominees attended my alma mater of stanford university. as an undergraduate in ms. crass's case and for a masters and phd in mr. smith's case. i know this is not the only way to be confirmed through the inte