[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 70 (Friday, May 17, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5265-S5266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    U.S. NAVY ADM. JEREMY M. BOORDA

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, President Theodore Roosevelt once wrote, 
``Death is always and under all circumstances a tragedy, for if it is 
not, then it meant that life itself has become one.''
  The death of Adm. Jeremy M. ``Mike'' Boorda was particularly tragic. 
But it is important that the tragedy of his death not overshadow the 
inspiring accomplishments of his life.
  Mike Boorda began serving his country at the age of 16, when he lied 
about

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his age and entered the Navy. Much to his own surprise, he was 
commissioned an officer 6 years later. Through hard work and 
dedication, he rose through the ranks and eventually became a four-star 
admiral and the only enlisted man to become the Chief of Naval 
Operations.
  During his career in the Navy, Mike Boorda graduated from the 
University of Rhode Island in 1971 and served during the Vietnam war in 
Southeast Asia. He became an admiral in 1987 and served as the Navy's 
chief personnel officer from 1988 to 1991. He then served as a 
commander in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from 1991 to 1994. 
As Chief of the Southern European Command, he directed the air strike 
against four Bosnian Serb aircraft that had been flying in violation of 
a U.N. ban. It was the first time in the organization's 44-year history 
that allied forces were used in an offensive mission.
  Having begun his career as a seaman recruit--the lowest rank in the 
Navy--Mike Boorda had a deep appreciation for the concerns of enlisted 
personnel, and he strived endlessly to improve the Navy for all of 
them. He considered those in the Navy who served under him--enlisted 
personnel and officers alike--to be members of his family. As Secretary 
Perry mentioned, ``Admiral Boorda was a sailor's sailor. Mike Boorda 
helped make our Navy the best the world has ever seen.''
  The Nation owes a great debt of gratitude to Admiral Boorda. Despite 
the tragic circumstances surrounding his death, the many contributions 
he made to the U.S. Navy and our country during his more than 40 years 
of service will not soon be forgotten. I know I speak on behalf of all 
my colleagues when I express my deepest sympathies to his wife, Bettie, 
and his four children, David, Edward, Anna, and Robert.
  I yield the floor.
  I note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Jeffords). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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