[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5159-S5160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DEATH OF ADMIRAL BOORDA

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I, too, want to join my Senate colleagues 
in expressing how profoundly saddened we are about the death of Adm. 
Mike Boorda, Chief of Naval Operations. He was truly one of the most 
impressive figures who has ever been selected to serve as Chief of 
Naval Operations. He rose from the ranks of the enlisted personnel to 
become an officer, and not only that, but the highest-ranking officer 
in the U.S. Navy. He brought to that job an enthusiasm for the work, a 
love for the Navy, and a respect for everyone in the Navy that was 
unparalleled.
  I recall very clearly a visit that I had the good fortune to make 
with him to the Meridian Naval Air Station in Meridian, MS. He gone 
down to our State and was visiting other States in the South looking at 
naval installations. He visited the Pascagoula base on the gulf coast. 
I was with him in Meridian when, after a tour of the naval air station, 
he wanted an opportunity to meet with everybody on the air station. So 
a meeting was called and everyone was invited. All hands were invited 
to come see the Chief of Naval Operations in the gymnasium there on the 
base.
  He talked to everyone. He had a hand-held mike. He walked out in the 
middle of the gymnasium, as people were seated in the stands all 
around. After his remarks, without any notes at all, he took questions 
and he was asked questions about everything from pay allowance issues, 
to housing, to the status of some repair contracts on Navy fighter 
aircraft, to the status of trainers, and how long they would remain in 
service. He knew something about everything that he was asked

[[Page S5160]]

that day, and he handled the questions in a way that showed a genuine 
respect for each person who asked the question, whether it was an 
officer, a pilot of an airplane, or an enlisted personnel. He left that 
place that day with everyone really endeared to him and totally 
impressed with him as a person and proud to be in the U.S. Navy with 
his being the highest ranking officer in that Navy.
  So it is with deep regret and sadness that we heard today the tragic 
news of his death. Our condolences go out to his family and to all of 
those who worked closely with him, because they have to be deeply, 
deeply saddened by this terrible event. But his legacy will be long 
remembered and appreciated as an enduring gift of unselfish public 
service by a person who was a true patriot.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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