[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5149-S5150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             ADMIRAL BOORDA

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. President, Senator Lott a moment ago spoke about the 
life and death of Adm. Jeremy Mike Boorda. I think all of us were 
stunned by this revelation.
  Yesterday, most of us, Republican and Democrat alike, were shocked, 
and saddened, in some respects, at the announcement of another man of 
character and courage who decided to leave

[[Page S5150]]

a position he loved most to achieve a higher dream.
  Today, just moments ago, we are advised of another man in our public 
service, one of the best and brightest that the Navy has ever had to 
offer, took leave of life. The reports at this point have not been 
confirmed. On one network they have indicated that it was a self-
inflicted wound. I hope that is not the case. We are trying at this 
particular point to verify rumors. No such confirmation has been 
forthcoming at this point. We do not wish to add to the speculation any 
further than what is on the television at this moment.
  I say a few words about Admiral Boorda from a personal point of view. 
He was a very close friend of mine. He attended my wedding a few months 
ago. Our relationship goes back several years, at least, when we were 
in Munich together, the Wehrkunde conference. It was memorable to me 
because one night while we were there, Sarajevo had been shelled. There 
was a great loss of life. Admiral Boorda took charge immediately. He 
ordered C-141's to get to Sarajevo. He did so over the objection of the 
U.N. command at that point. Akashi could not be reached. They said, 
wait until tomorrow; do not send any aircraft down. Mike Boorda said, 
``I am not waiting for anything. Get those planes in there. Get those 
wounded people out of there and get them to the hospital.''
  That was the kind of man of action and passion that I came to know 
and admire. He, over the last several years, demonstrated that time and 
time again in terms of his commitment to the Navy.
  Yesterday, Senator Dole talked about life being a hardship. Nothing 
came easy to Senator Dole. I might say that for Mike Boorda. Life was a 
hardship as well. He was not born into wealth. He was not a man of 
privilege, but he is what we call a common man. He rose through the 
ranks of common men and women to the highest position in the U.S. Navy. 
He was admired by everyone who ever came within his presence. He was 
inspiring to those men and women who now served in our U.S. Navy. All 
of them will be equally stunned and shocked, as we were, to learn of 
the news of his death. I can only hope that the reports I have heard to 
date are not correct.
  I pray for the members of his family who are alive today and no doubt 
in a state of shock and grief. I can only indicate to them that every 
person who has ever been touched by Jeremy Mike Boorda will remember 
him for the rest of their lives. I can only express my condolences at 
this moment and hope to have further comments about the life and times 
of Mike Boorda at a later time.

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