[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S2417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NOMINATION OF LTG MICHAEL RYAN, U.S. AIR FORCE

  Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, the Air Force Times (March 25, 1996 edition) 
contains a story entitled ``Senate Delays Ryan Nomination.'' The story 
states that Lieutenant General Ryan's promotion to a fourth star ``is 
being delayed in the Senate according to congressional and military 
sources.'' The story adds that the ``reasons for the delay were unclear 
as of March 15, but sources said Ryan's involvement in the Buster 
Glosson affair in 1994 may be tied to the delay.'' With no foundation 
whatsoever, the story then links me to this action by stating: ``The 
aftertaste of the Glosson struggle has remained bitter, especially for 
one of his ardent congressional supporters, Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.''
  That is absolutely inaccurate.
  In the first place, I strongly support the nomination of Lieutenant 
General Ryan for his fourth star and have not been involved in any 
hold. Lieutenant General Ryan was nominated on February 26, 1996 and 
favorably reported by the Committee on March 12, 1996. I am confident 
that he will be confirmed by the Senate and I urge the Senate to act 
immediately to confirm this fine officer.
  Second, when I was chairman of the Armed Services Committee in 1994, 
during Lieutenant General Ryan's previous nomination, I took the lead 
in ensuring that Lieutenant General Ryan was confirmed. That was at the 
same time we were considering the issues regarding Lieutenant General 
Glosson's retirement. Lieutenant General Ryan was nominated on July 12, 
1994, approved by the Committee on July 27, 1994, and confirmed on 
August 25, 1994.
  Third, when our committee issued its report on the Glosson matter, I 
ensured that the following material was placed in the committee report, 
citing the special panel we had established:

       The Panel Report specifically states: ``We wish to be 
     absolutely clear that in our view Generals Nowak, Ryan, and 
     Myers were truthful in their testimony to the IG 
     investigators and to us.'' The Panel notes that ``the 
     reputation of these men for veracity and integrity is 
     unimpeachable.''
       The Panel Report also observes: ``Generals Nowak, Ryan, and 
     Myers acted with the utmost integrity in reporting what they 
     considered to be inappropriate attempts to influence a 
     promotions board and in asking to be excused from service on 
     that board. Their actions in this regard were proper and 
     helped maintain the integrity of the Air Force promotions 
     system.''
       The committee concurs with these views. The committee notes 
     that its favorable recommendation on the nomination of 
     Lieutenant General Glosson is based upon his overall record 
     of service and does not imply any reservation about the 
     Panel's findings with respect to Lieutenant General Nowak, 
     Lieutenant General Ryan, and Major General Myers.

  It is simply wrong to suggest ``the aftertaste of the Glosson 
struggle has remained bitter'' for me. On the contrary, I have worked 
hard to ensure that those, like Lieutenant General Ryan, who did their 
duty in the Glosson matter have not been adversely affected.

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