[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         ADM. STANLEY R. ARTHUR

                                 ______


                          HON. OWEN B. PICKETT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 1994

  Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, the withdrawal of the nomination of Adm. 
Stanley R. Arthur to be commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Command is 
cause for concern. Press reports assign various reasons for this 
action, but a recurring theme attributes it to a personnel decision 
concerning a female officer. Both the Navy Inspector General and the 
Secretary of the Navy concurred in the decision.
  We hold our military leaders to a very high standard. That is as it 
should be. They have awesome authority and responsibility for the 
management and operation of our military resources. They must be held 
accountable. But after years of dedicated service and recognized 
achievement they should not find their careers tarnished by unfounded 
publicity about one equivocal event.
  Our Nation needs the services of officers like Admiral Arthur. He has 
served with distinction as commander of the Pacific Fleet. He was 
deeply involved in Operation Desert Storm. And he successfully saw the 
Navy through troubled times during his tenure as vice chief of naval 
operations.
  Admiral Arthur deserves the respect and admiration of all Americans 
for his long and illustrious military career. We are in his debt as a 
nation. It is our loss that he was not confirmed in his appointment as 
CINCPAC. Let us hope that a similar fate never befalls an officer of 
such exceptional credentials in the future.

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