[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 131 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN R. MANSFIELD, PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER, SENATE 
              ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, UPON HIS DEPARTURE

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the contributions of 
Dr. John R. Mansfield, a member of my staff on the Armed Services 
Committee. Dr. Mansfield, better known to many in the Congress and the 
administration as Jack, will be departing the committee to assume a 
position as Associate Administrator with the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration.
  Dr. Mansfield joined the Armed Services Committee in June 1989. Since 
then, Jack has lived up to his reputation as an accomplished 
theoretical physicist with exceptionally wide experience, both within 
and outside government. During his 5-plus years on the Armed Services 
Committee staff, he has been the chief proponent of our Nation's 
strategic weapons and the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons 
production capability. In the recent years, his advocacy for a strong 
nuclear complex was made much more challenging by an administration 
that has relegated this capability to a position that will virtually 
deny the Nation such a force multiplier in the coming century.
  Mr. President, to parrot a famous commercial: ``When Jack talks, 
people listen.'' This position of trust is based on his extensive 
experience in the National Defense arena. He joined the Armed Services 
Committee from the Defense Advanced Research Agency [DARPA] where he 
was chief scientist. In that position he served as DARPA's primary 
point of contact for the scientific and academic communities, and was 
responsible for monitoring relevant technology advances for 
incorporation in new DARPA programs. Jack also served as a professional 
staff member on the House Armed Services Committee, where he was 
responsible for preparing technical and budgetary advice to three 
subcommittees. Other significant positions that Dr. Mansfield held 
included a tour as the assistant for theoretical research at the 
Defense Nuclear Agency and as the chief of Nuclear Energy and Applied 
Sciences Division, Defense Intelligence Agency. In his long and 
distinguished professional career, Dr. Mansfield also held similar 
positions in the private sector.
  Without a doubt, Dr. Mansfield is among the most professional and 
most qualified staff members with which I have been associated in my 
almost 40 years in the Senate. He willingly shared his extensive 
knowledge with both members and his colleagues on the Armed Services 
Committee. I especially appreciated his close association with me and 
the people at the Savannah River site. Jack never hesitated to call the 
situation as he saw it and never shrank from a challenge when he knew 
he was right and it was in the best interest of our Nation.
  Mr. President, necessity demands that we fill Jack's position; 
however, it will be difficult to find an individual who possesses 
Jack's technical expertise, individual warmth, and concern for the 
national security of our Nation. I know I am joined by many in this 
Chamber in expressing our thanks to Jack Mansfield and in wishing him 
and his lovely wife, Karen, the best in his new endeavors.

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