[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 50 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  U.S. NAVY CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY

  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, April 23 marked a momentous day in the 
history of the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy bid a respectful farewell to 
the distinguished Adm. Frank B. Kelso II, Chief of Naval Operations. 
Admiral Kelso dutifully served nearly 38 years on active duty, during 
which time he exemplified honor, courage, vision, and leadership 
ability. Admiral Kelso served the U.S. Navy through many challenging 
times, including drawdowns, budget reductions, and changes brought by 
the end of the cold war.
  The occasion of the change of command provided us the opportunity to 
welcome his successor, Adm. Jeremy Michael Boorda. As Admiral Boorda 
commences his tour as the 25th Chief of Naval Operations, he brings 
with him vast experience. Admiral Boorda has formerly served as the 
Commander in Chief, Allied Forces--South, Commander in Chief of the 
U.S. Naval Forces--Europe, and as the principal commander for all NATO 
air and maritime operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I wish him the 
best of luck in continuing to prepare the U.S. Navy for the 21st 
century.
  I would like to take this opportunity to submit remarks delivered at 
the change of command ceremony for entry in the Record. I hereby ask 
unanimous consent that remarks delivered by Admiral Kelso, Secretary 
Dalton, General Shalikashvili, and Admiral Boorda be inserted in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the remarks were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

   Remarks Delivered by Adm. Frank B. Kelso, II, USN, Chief of Naval 
        Operations, U.S. Navy Change of Command, Annapolis, MD.

       Good morning. Secretary Deutch, Secretary Dalton, General 
     Shalikasvili, Senators Warner and Stevens, Congressman Hoyer, 
     members of the Diplomatic Corps, my fellow service chiefs, 
     Admiral Mike and Bettie Boorda, fellow flag officers, men and 
     women of the U.S. Navy, and ladies and gentlemen.
       I think I'd better get a pin and scratch myself, to make 
     sure I'm in the right place this morning. Thank you so very 
     much for your kind words. But when you reach this point in 
     time, there are a few people you have to say thanks to, 
     because I didn't get here alone--I got here with a lot of 
     help. First of all, I'd like to thank every American sailor I 
     ever served with, whoever followed my orders, or gave me a 
     suggestion, because, truly, that's what makes our Navy go, 
     and we all owe them so much. So I'll accept these medals this 
     morning on behalf of all the young officers and sailors who 
     worked for me. I'd like to thank my OPNAV staff who supported 
     me so superbly, the fleet commanders and their staffs who 
     kept our Navy running in a period of great turmoil. I'd like 
     to thank my fellow chiefs of the Navy who've come from so 
     many places in the world to join Admiral Mike Boorda and me 
     today. I'd also like to thank Admiral Tom Lynch and everyone 
     at the Naval Academy for putting this ceremony on. Tom, I 
     have enormous respect for your capability and leadership, and 
     want you to know that.
       I'd like to thank each of you for being here this morning, 
     and sharing this day with Mike and me. I'd like to thank my 
     classmates, the great Class of '56. It's been my honor to 
     carry the torch for a good while, and I'll leave it now to 
     Captain Fred Lippert, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at 
     Bethesda, who, I believe, is our last classmate on active 
     duty. I appreciate the efforts of so many friends and family 
     to come here this morning, and I'd like my family to stand 
     up. I'd like you to see them--I'm awfully proud of them.
       And my last thanks, this morning, will go to Landess. 
     Landess has stood with me through all these years. She's been 
     my best counsel, my best advice--my toughest critic, and also 
     the one who pushed me when I was down the most. And she's 
     kept my hat size about the same--but she hasn't had much 
     trouble during this tour of duty in doing that. Thank you, my 
     love. It's been a great journey, and we're going to have a 
     better one from now on, too.
       I'd like to say a special word of welcome to Mike and 
     Bettie Boorda. Mike's an officer I've known for a long time. 
     I've had just great respect for him. I have great confidence 
     in him, and I know he's going to be the Navy's great leader 
     as the next CNO. Mike, it's a pleasure to be here with you 
     and Bettie this morning. I left a couple little things on the 
     desk for you I thought might be necessary for the job: 
     there's a large bottle of Maalox and a cup that says 
     ``Budgets are for wimps.''
       But to be serious, when I stood here four years ago to 
     relieve Carl Trost, American and Soviet sailors still watched 
     each other almost every day from a distance, ready to wage 
     war on a moment's notice. The U.S. Navy was recruiting more 
     than a hundred thousand people a year, and we were well on 
     our way to a 600 ship fleet. We had just opened one of our 
     new home ports, in Staten Island, and we preparing to launch 
     the ARLEIGH BURKE and the GEORGE WASHINGTON.
       But already, we saw great change on the horizon. The Berlin 
     Wall had fallen just six months earlier, and the reforms 
     characterized in that era as glasnost and perestroika were 
     already reverberating throughout the Soviet Union. Here at 
     home, a stalled economy and a growing budget deficit forced 
     us to take a hard look at our nation's priorities. On that 
     day in 1990, I said, ``We have nothing to fear in change,'' 
     and everything that's happened since then has only reinforced 
     my belief in that statement.
       Even then, most of us understood the implications of the 
     easing of Cold War tensions combined with our nation's 
     pressing domestic concerns. But few could have easily 
     foreseen either the extent or the sheer speed of the changes 
     we would experience during my watch.
       Perhaps the most unexpected of all was a war eight thousand 
     miles away which ultimately involved half a million young 
     Americans. Their performance, and the success of our weapons 
     systems during the Persian Gulf conflict validated the wise 
     decisions of my predecessors. I knew I had inherited the most 
     capable Navy the world has ever seen.
       My mandate was clear, and that mandate remains today--to 
     make sure the Navy after the next Navy is no less capable. I 
     still believe that the world's remaining superpower is going 
     to need a Navy ready to carry out its mission anywhere our 
     President sends us.
       But I knew that we could not be the best if we tried to 
     preserve the status quo while the world changed around us. 
     And, as always, the men and women of the U.S. Navy rose to 
     the challenge. Over the last four years, they have shaken up 
     the old assumptions, and embraced change. They have traded a 
     traditional, independent view of the world for one that 
     promotes consensus and cooperation.
       And I believe that this willingness to change, to divest 
     ourselves of some old assumptions, is enabling us to navigate 
     through the shoal waters of downsizing, and to realize the 
     great opportunities before us to improve our capabilities and 
     provide them at a more affordable price.
       When I look at our Navy today, I see an organization which 
     has made a strategic leap of faith, transitioning from Cold 
     War priorities to the profoundly different, but very real 
     challenges we are facing.
       I see a Navy which is more and more an integral player on 
     America's joint war fighting team, and with each passing day, 
     I see sailors working more closely with their comrades in the 
     Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and the Coast Guard.
       I see a headquarters staff reduced in size by half, and 
     operating more efficiently than in the past, and I am 
     heartened by the improvements we have made in prioritizing 
     and programming our resources.
       I see continued strong pride in our warfare communities, 
     but at the same time a greater willingness to speak as one 
     Navy.
       I see an organization moving steadily toward real equal 
     opportunity, and in opening combat duty to women, maximizing 
     our ability to get the best qualified person for the job.
       I see a Navy which acknowledges that we must continue our 
     efforts to diversity our officer corps. We must do it today, 
     so the leadership of tomorrow reflects every segment of this 
     society.
       I see Navy leaders--officer, enlisted and civilian--
     committed to the principle that smaller need not mean less 
     capable.
       And I see adherence to the tenets of Total Quality 
     Leadership improving the entire fabric of our organization, 
     and empowering our people to become a part of this process of 
     change.
       Finally, I see a climate which encourages and nurtures new 
     ideas, be they from the E Ring or the deckplates of our 
     ships.
       The men and women who sail those ships are hard at work 
     this morning--they are part of the most ready and capable 
     force we have ever sent to sea. We have a plan, a solid plan 
     to maintain that readiness, and to lay the keel of the next 
     Navy, the Navy of twenty to thirty years from now. The 
     plan represents a concerted effort to shape our own 
     destiny, but the desire is in the execution, and there are 
     no guarantees.
       As we strive to build on the strengths of this great 
     nation, we cannot afford to forget that national defense is 
     only part of the equation. There are many legitimate claims 
     upon the American taxpayer's dollar, and many competing 
     interests for resources, however much we all share the same 
     goals. Getting through the challenges ahead will call for 
     unlimited reserves of perseverance and moral courage.
       What are the qualities which will sustain us during this 
     period? First and foremost will be our love and devotion to 
     this great nation. Equally important will be our loyalty to 
     our service. As those of you here today well understand, we 
     cannot afford to regard our service as only a job. It is, and 
     always has been more than that. It must continue to be a way 
     of life.
       And while we have always counted among our ranks tough-
     minded, colorful individuals, the greatness of our 
     organization has come from our sense of esprit de corps, from 
     the efforts of men and women willing to put the institution 
     above themselves.
       That concept of teamwork is not an outmoded ideal--it is, 
     in fact, more relevant than ever before. But it is not a 
     quality found in the seabag of every new recruit or officer 
     candidate. We must instill that sense into our people, and 
     work to reinforce the message as they progress throughout 
     their careers.
       Lastly, we must look to our strength of character. We must 
     be, and we must be perceived to be man and women with an 
     unwavering sense of honor, integrity and professionalism. The 
     American people--those who willingly entrust their sons and 
     daughters to our charge--expect no less from us.
       In recent years, we have often found ourselves in the 
     spotlight, and sometimes the glare is very hard to take, but 
     I am convinced that degree of scrutiny is far more a blessing 
     than a curse. The keen public interest in everything we do 
     comes from the fact that our fellow Americans, for more than 
     two centuries, have indeed expected from us the highest 
     standards of behavior and personal honor.
       Notwithstanding our occasional failings and foibles, the 
     American people put more confidence in their armed forces 
     than in any other public institution. I believe we should 
     welcome the closest scrutiny; we must want to be held to the 
     highest standards, because our values define us--they go with 
     the privilege of serving this country.
       In the end, there are no problems we cannot resolve, so 
     long as we are forthright and honest, committed, and 
     ultimately, do what is right.
       You who love our Navy as much as I do should feel proud of 
     our ability, as an organization, to meet the challenges 
     ahead. I make no claim to predicting the future, but whatever 
     the future holds, the Navy remains forward deployed, relevant 
     and valuable in a still changing world.
       The challenges facing our wardrooms and senior enlisted 
     personnel in the days ahead will be daunting. Instability 
     around the globe suggests that the operating tempo of our 
     ships and squadrons will remain high for the foreseeable 
     future. But even as we continue to carry out our worldwide 
     commitments, we will be executing the plan which will get us 
     to the ``next Navy.'' That means some new ships will come on 
     line, older units retiring, bases we have called home for 
     years closing. Nor can we expect technology to stand still 
     throughout that process. There will be new skills to master, 
     changing missions which we must train for.
       I have all the confidence in the world in Navy leaders 
     across our ranks to meet these challenges. They are the best, 
     and they have fantastic material to work with. Today's 
     sailors cannot be beat. They continue to take on tough 
     assignments at sea and at shore stations all over the world.
       They willingly give up comforts and conveniences enjoyed by 
     their fellow citizens, and spend months at a time away from 
     home and loved ones. Today, just like four years ago, over 
     forty percent of our fleet is underway and operating around 
     the globe.
       And whether they are serving in the Red Sea or Arabian 
     Gulf, the Mediterranean or the Adriatic, or off of Somalia, 
     our people understand the importance of their mission. They 
     are proud to represent this nation. And though they 
     acknowledge that they themselves cannot solve all the world's 
     problems, being able to give others the chance for a better 
     life is something very meaningful to them.
       As I stand before you today, I can tell you that the 
     American bluejacket still exemplifies the idealism and 
     devotion to duty which have made this nation great. In the 
     days ahead, we will change them as much as we ever have, but 
     I have no doubt they have the right stuff to get the job 
     done.
       Our senior enlisted leadership, like Master Chief John 
     Hagan, our Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, are 
     dedicated, caring leaders. They are the backbone of the 
     organization, and they have embraced and accelerated the 
     change with their ideas.
       I am sincerely grateful that we, as a nation, are blessed 
     with leaders like Secretary Perry, Secretary Deutch, 
     Secretary Dalton, and General John Shalikashvili, as well as 
     the committed elected officials who understand these young 
     people I've been talking about, along with their comrades in 
     the sister services. They know that these young people are 
     the true strength of America's defense capability, and if we 
     keep faith with them, they will never let us down.
       In conclusion, let me say it has been for me an 
     extraordinary privilege to come of age in the U.S. Navy. Over 
     the course of the nearly thirty-eight years I have spent on 
     active duty, the men and women who wear this uniform have 
     never ceased to impress and inspire me. Nor have they failed 
     to sustain my belief that ours is the greatest Navy and the 
     greatest nation on the face of the earth.
       When I reflect on the sacrifices they make on a daily 
     basis, I am reminded of the words of President Theodore 
     Roosevelt, a leader whose vision for our Navy and nation is 
     still very relevant today. He said:
       Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious 
     triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank 
     with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer 
     much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not 
     victory nor defeat.
       Having the opportunity to lead these people over the past 
     four years has been the most rewarding experience of my life. 
     When I look out at our leadership today, and particularly our 
     young leadership, I see the leaders of tomorrow, and I know 
     our nation could not be in better hands.
       My God bless our Navy, may God bless America.
                                  ____


    Remarks by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. John M. 
 Shalikashvili at the Retirement and Award Ceremony for Adm. Frank B. 
                                 Kelso

       Secretary Deutch, Secretary and Mrs. Dalton, members of 
     Congress, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Admiral and Mrs. 
     Kelso, Admiral and Mrs. Boorda, distinguished guests, ladies 
     and gentlemen.
       We are here today to two things, each of them full of 
     symbolism and full of emotion and each significant to the 
     history of the United States Navy and the Armed Forces of our 
     Nation. First we are here to pay great tribute to my very 
     good friend, Admiral Frank Kelso, and to honor his vast 
     achievements over 38 years of truly extraordinary service, 
     and to haul down his flag. And second, to break Admiral 
     Boorda's flag, thus designating him the 25th Chief of Naval 
     Operations.
       And it is very fitting to celebrate Admiral Kelso's 
     accomplishments here. Because it is here, that it all began, 
     across the yard at Dahlgren Hall, Ensign Frank Kelso 
     graduated with distinction, graduated with distinction among 
     the 681 members of the class of '56 on cool and cloudy June 
     the 1st, nearly 38 years ago, years marked by the delicate 
     balance of the Cold War, marked by war itself, and marked by 
     vast, sweeping changes to the Navy, our Armed Forces and to 
     the world at large.
       When Admiral Arthur Radford, then Chairman of the Joint 
     Chiefs of Staff, addressed Frank Kelso's graduating class, he 
     could have been predicting Frank's future when he said, 
     ``Your future will be challenging and interesting. 
     Undoubtedly, you will witness and take part in great events. 
     Now'', he went on, ``the part you play and the contributions 
     you make will be somewhat designated by fate, but largely 
     designated by you as an individual.'' And for the next 38 
     years, Frank Kelso lived by these words in one assignment 
     after another.
       Beginning with his first duty as the 3d Division Boat Group 
     Officer aboard USS Oglethorpe, through three sumarine 
     commands, his command of Sixth Fleet, through three 4-star 
     billets, Frank Kelso proved to be a wise leader, a man of 
     great integrity and character, a man people follow into 
     battle, a man people trust with their lives.
       This was clear to the world when the men and women of the 
     U.S. Sixth Fleet, under the leadership of Admiral Frank 
     Kelso, were called upon to capture the terrorists who had 
     highjacked the Aquille Lauro and killed an American tourist . 
     . . When they were called into combat in the Gulf of Sidra 
     and again into the heart of Libya, when Libya was implicated 
     in the bombing of a German disco, killing an American 
     serviceman and wounding scores of other military personnel.
       And it was true as well, during his four years as Chief of 
     Naval Operations. Admiral Kelso has led our Navy through its 
     most challenging, difficult period of its recent history. 
     Within months of assuming his new role, Admiral Kelso 
     organized the Naval force for Operation Desert Storm, the 
     awesome force whch played such a key role in that great 
     victory.
       As the Armed Forces dealt with the force drawn downs and 
     budget reductions, Frank Kelso kept the Navy forward looking, 
     reorienting to a new role in the rapidly changing world and 
     reorienting a new doctrine.
       And throughout his career, Frank Kelso demonstrated time 
     and again, the deep concern for his people, and the pride and 
     compassion to continually improve the quality of life for the 
     men and women of the United States Navy. And standing by him 
     with her unwavering support was the rest of his team, his 
     wife Landis and his four children, Tommy, Donald, Mary and 
     Carrie. Landis, for 38 years, you have stood by Frank through 
     the difficult assignments, the long years of one overseas 
     duty after another, raising your family and enduring the 
     pressures and challenges with your hallmark, calm patience. 
     You have shown immense strength. And you have been a 
     wonderful friend to the men and women under Frank's command 
     and to their families. You have left your mark in our hearts 
     and we will miss you dearly.
       But today as well, we welcome Admiral Mike Boorda and his 
     wife Betty. Admiral Boorda comes to Washington after having 
     just served--brilliantly, I might add--as Commander in Chief 
     of Allied Forces, South in Italy and Commander in Chief of 
     U.S. Naval Forces, Europe. And as the principal commander for 
     all NATO air and maritime operations near and over Bosnia-
     Herzegovina.
       My association and friendship with Mike Boorda goes back to 
     our days together in Europe and I am most pleased that 
     President Clinton has appointed him to continue in the effort 
     to prepare the Navy for the 21st Century.
       So, on behalf of the Joint Chiefs, we welcome you Mike and 
     Betty, and pledge our support while at the same time we 
     congratulate you, Frank and Landis. Thank you for your 
     friendship, and I wish you both continued fair winds and 
     following seas.
       Thank you very much.
                                  ____


 Adm. Jeremy Michael Boorda, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, Change of 
                            Command Remarks

       Good morning, Secretary Deutch, Secretary Dalton, General 
     Shalikashvili, Admiral Kelso, General Mundy--I could go on--
     this is about two pages of names, I think I'll just stop and 
     say that if you're not a friend of Frank Kelso's, Mike 
     Boorda's or the United States Navy, you're in the wrong 
     ceremony.
       It is our custom in the Navy, when an officer takes 
     command, that he will make a few very brief remarks--
     certainly not talk about changes--and sit down quickly. And 
     I'm going to do that, but there are a few things I should 
     say. And Frank there will be one big change now that you're 
     leaving and I'm coming in. The podiums are going to be a lot 
     smaller for the next four years. For the people in the front 
     row, there is an admiral back here somewhere
       First, instead of saving it for the end, I want to say 
     right up front how much I appreciate and love my wife Bettie 
     for her hard work on behalf of the Navy, on behalf of our 
     family, and on behalf of her husband all these many years. I 
     wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you an I wouldn't want to 
     be here without you. At a moment like this, I have to tell 
     you the truth. When we went to Europe I told Bettie, ``its 
     going to be kind of a quiet tour and I'll probably retire 
     when this is over and you'll see a lot of me for the next few 
     years,'' and then there was Yugoslavia. I'm not even going to 
     lie to you this time--I'll see you in about four years. I 
     also want to say that my mom, who is here, and my dad, who 
     can't be here but is with me anyway, are not just observers 
     at this ceremony are, instead, full participants in any 
     success I might have had. Thanks. All my kids are all here, 
     and that's a big thing to say and they have always been there 
     for me even when I couldn't be there for them because of long 
     deployments or one demanding job after another. So thanks to 
     all seven of you, and I love you a lot! I'd like to thank 
     Secretary Dalton for nominating me, that's kind of an 
     understatement. And I will do my best to live up to your 
     expectations, Mr. Secretary. I know that you and I and 
     General Mundy are going to be a good team and I look forward 
     to getting started. To Secretary Deutch and to Secretary 
     Perry and General Shali, thanks for supporting me as well. 
     And thank you especially for your support in my last job. 
     What progress we made in Yugoslavia--and it is always 
     fleeting progress--was due in large measure to the help, 
     advice, and guidance you gave. It is a tough time for people 
     there. Today is a particularly tough time, and I know that 
     Admiral Snuffy Smith is doing a great job and so are the 
     people from all of the services.
       Admiral Kelso, we had a quick but a very thorough turnover. 
     And I want to thank you for making it possible. Thanks also 
     for your leadership and friendship over the years. Our entire 
     Navy wishes nothing but the best for you and Landess and the 
     entire family. The benefits of the new policies you've put in 
     place and the course you've set our Navy on for the future as 
     we approach the 21st century has been superb. Thanks my 
     friend and God bless you!
       To the men and women of our Navy an to their families as 
     well . . . thank you! For over thirty eight years of my 
     career you, and those who preceded you, have been working 
     harder than anybody could have ever expected, often 
     sacrificing more than anyone should ever demand of others, 
     and always making things turn out well in the end. You, the 
     people of our Navy, are what this is all about. Without you 
     nothing is possible and I won't forget that. You are the 
     reason I am here and I won't forget that either.
       We ask much of you. We need to be sure you have what it 
     takes to get the job done. I will work as hard as I can to 
     see that you get the ships, the aircraft, the systems, and 
     all the other ingredients of a ready Navy so that, when asked 
     to do the difficult jobs--and you will be asked--you can do 
     so in a safe and effective way and you can win. Secretary 
     Dalton and I are pledged to work together and we will achieve 
     that goal.
       I intend to spare no effort, and I expect and require that 
     you spare no effort, toward the realization of real, total, 
     equal opportunity in our Navy. We have come a long way. And 
     let me say, because there's been a lot of talk about it, 
     Frank Kelso brought us a long way along that road. Many would 
     say, and I would agree, that we are ahead of much of society. 
     But that isn't good enough. We want perfection. When we don't 
     get it, and I'm sorry to say we won't always get it, then we 
     will react in a fair, appropriately swift, and always get it, 
     then we will react in a fair, appropriately swift, and always 
     just way. You can count on it.
       My reason for mentioning this should be obvious to you, the 
     men and women of our Navy. If you agree with me that people 
     are the most important part of what we do . . . and I think 
     almost everybody would agree with that . . . then it should 
     be easy to see that we require, that we need to require and 
     permit--let me say that again, require and permit--every 
     single person on our team to achieve their personal best. 
     Taking care of each other is the essence of being on a team 
     and, as Frank said, this is a team. It is what we are. It is 
     also the essence of leadership at all levels from CNO to our 
     newest petty officer and everybody in between. I'll have 
     lots more to say on this subject in the days ahead.
       We have a great Navy. It is great because our nation has 
     made it so by giving us the best tools to work with of any 
     Navy in the world. But it is great for an even more important 
     reason, because of its people. The men and women of our Navy 
     are a reflection of our society and we come from the most 
     wonderful nation in the world so it's no wonder they are so 
     good. but there is even more to it than that. As great as our 
     nation is, we * * * your Navy * * * have the best. We have 
     smart young people who are with us because they want to be 
     here. They volunteer to serve and they have to meet our 
     standards when they join our ranks. They come to us with high 
     hopes for their own futures and they quickly learn to care 
     about--and have equally high hopes for--their Navy and their 
     nation. When I say we have a great Navy, and we do, I am 
     really saying we have great Navy people, and we do.
       I have many goals in mind as I start my tour as Chief of 
     Naval Operations. And I'll be working on all of them in the 
     days, weeks, months, and years ahead. And they're all 
     important. But I need to steal an Army recruiting phrase to 
     tell you of my most important goal. That phrase is ``be all 
     you can be.'' On February 10th, 1956, a chief petty officer 
     started helping me to be all I could be. Lots of petty 
     officers, chiefs, officers, and civilian leaders too, kept it 
     up * * * Day after day * * * year after year. Many of you are 
     sitting in this audience. I guess they succeeded. I think I 
     really did become ``all I could be.'' Now I need to pay them 
     back. I'm going to do just that and I'm going to do it by 
     taking the best care I can of the wonderful men and women of 
     your Navy.
       Thank you and God bless you all.
                                  ____


Remarks as Delivered by Hon. John H. Dalton, Secretary of the Navy, on 
      the Introduction of Deputy Secretary of Defense John Deutch


                           passing the vision

       The mark of success for those in positions of authority is 
     the vision of the future that they bequeath to those after 
     them. It is this vision that allows us to sail a steady 
     course amidst change and challenge * * * to sail from an era 
     of global confrontation to a vastly different world.
       Today we are saying goodby to a bold, visionary leader of 
     the Naval Service, and we are welcoming his successor. The 
     naval career of Admiral Kelso, like that of his successor, 
     Admiral Boorda, has spanned the height of the Cold War--from 
     the rise of the Soviet challenge at sea to the collapse of 
     communism and end of the Soviet empire. Both officers have 
     spent a lifetime of long, demanding toil in the service of 
     America's defense. And both have provided a guiding vision 
     through periods of naval expansion, as well as periods of 
     right-sizing. Their eyes were on the horizon through 
     successive commands of ships, fleets and joint forces.
       To Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Frank Kelso fell the 
     task of piloting the United States Navy beyond the Cold War's 
     end--a feat akin to sailing beyond the edge of the known 
     world. Many were the challenges he faced in dealing with new 
     strategic and social issues. His legacy as Chief of Naval 
     Operations will be lasting. The development of a new 
     strategic vision ``* * * From the Sea'', the full integration 
     of women, the emphasis on Total Quality Leadership, and the 
     reorganization of the OPNAV staff are but four of these.
       This ceremony symbolizes many things. Of course, it marks 
     the passing of command--an act that means so much to those 
     who ``go down to the sea in ships.'' For like the commanding 
     officer who plots the course and ensures the safety of the 
     ship in both storm and battle, the Chief of Naval Operations 
     ensures the continual development and safety of his Service. 
     Admiral Boorda inherits from Admiral Kelso a ship on the 
     right course, one that has weathered the storms as it sails 
     from the open oceans to the littoral regions of the world.
       But this ceremony also symbolizes a tradition of naval 
     leadership that is the force that maintains our Navy and has 
     built it into the finest the world has ever known. It is this 
     tradition--the tradition of Admirals Benson and Nimitz and 
     Sherman and Burke--that is now being passed from Admiral 
     Kelso to Admiral Boorda . . . and with it a heritage of 
     honor, courage and commitment that transcends this moment in 
     time. For leadership is a timeless trait and one whose ever 
     present concern is that of building a better future . . . a 
     future that men and women of conviction will carry on.
       It is indeed my pleasure this morning to introduce a man of 
     vision whose efforts at building a higher quality and more 
     efficient Department of Defense are already well apparent. 
     Deputy Secretary of Defense John Deutch has over thirty years 
     of experience in national security policy and defense 
     acquisition and management. Since April 1993, he has served 
     as the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, and in the 
     past month, was confirmed as Deputy Secretary. As 
     Undersecretary, he spearheaded our efforts at acquisition 
     reform and set the groundwork for policies to preserve the 
     defense industrial base.
       A member of the MIT faculty--since 1970--as a professor of 
     Chemistry, and most recently, as university Provost, Dr. 
     Deutch also devoted countless hours and considerable talent 
     to service in government, both as an official in the 
     Departments of Defense and Energy and as a member of numerous 
     advisory panels.
       I note that of the many advisory panels he has served on--
     which include the White House Science Council and Defense 
     Science Board--Deputy Secretary Deutch found time to serve 
     with distinction as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations 
     Executive Panel. The CNO Executive Panel provides advice 
     directly to the CNO on matters pertaining to the programs and 
     policies of the United States Navy . . . including issues 
     such as future technologies and industrial policies. I think 
     the fact of John Deutch's participation indicates that the 
     Navy can recognize talent and welcomes the assistance of top 
     experts. And I certainly can't think of a better person to 
     provide such advice than John Deutch.
       Dr. Deutch has also served as an Acting Assistant Secretary 
     and Undersecretary of the Department of Energy and director 
     of Energy Research.
       To paraphrase Secretary of Defense Perry--who very much 
     wanted to be here today, John Deutch is indeed a man who has 
     walked through the doors that time has opened in the 
     development of new technologies and the strategies of their 
     application . . . developments that helped to bring an end to 
     the Cold War . . . developments that promise to fashion a 
     more secure future.
       In conjunction with Secretary Perry, Dr. Deutch has 
     instituted a management style that empowers everyone in the 
     Department of perform at their very best . . . a management 
     style based on proven experience and blended with love and 
     respect for the magnificent men and women of our Armed 
     Forces. In the final assessment, all our leadership efforts 
     are directed toward giving our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and 
     Airmen the tools and conviction that bring out the excellence 
     present within themselves. In this, Deputy Secretary Deutch 
     is already achieving great success. It is a genuine pleasure 
     to work with this man.
       Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to 
     introduce to you the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the 
     Honorable John M. Deutch.

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