[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E969-E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GENERAL MALCOLM O'NEILL

                                 ______


                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 30, 1996

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the military will 
lose one of its most stellar leaders. After 24 years of outstanding 
service to the Nation, Gen. Malcolm O'Neill will be retiring. While we 
wish General O'Neill and his family the best, we will personally regret 
his retirement and sorely miss his leadership.
  It was only 2 years ago that I came to personally know and closely 
work with General O'Neill. As Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense 
Organization [BMDO], General O'Neill was one of the first Department 
officials to meet with me after I took the helm as chairman of the 
House Research and Development Subcommittee.
  As the administration's spokesperson on missile defense matters, 
General O'Neill was not in a position to support all of the missile 
defense initiatives supported by the Republican majority--but that 
never deterred him from remaining accessible, providing us with the 
facts and most important, from sharing his candid thoughts on proposals 
from both sides of the aisle. His technical expertise and impartiality 
are unparalleled. I very quickly came to rely on his judgment, and 
routinely sought his input on program and policy issues.
  While there are major differences remaining between the 
administration and Congress on missile defense, it is a real tribute to 
General O'Neill that we were able to reach the level of consensus that 
we did on this issue. We are no longer talking about if we should have 
missile defenses, but when we will have missile defenses. We are no 
longer arguing whether it is prudent to defend against missile threats, 
but whether we should prioritize theater defenses at the expense of 
national defense. We are no longer arguing whether it is feasible to 
defend against incoming missiles, but what option we should pursue.
  I have developed a close working relationship with General O'Neill, 
and perhaps more than any Member of Congress, I will regret his 
retirement from military service. He has served with integrity, 
dedication, valor and distinction as an officer in the U.S. Army. 
Although he has served in numerous and varied posts in his career, his 
extraordinary performance in one of the toughest department posts shows 
his true mettle. In fact, I thought so highly of Mal that I drafted a 
letter--signed by many House Members, including the leadership, urging 
the Department to discourage his retirement and to retain him as 
Director of BMDO.

[[Page E970]]

  Members understand all too well his decision to spend well-earned 
time with his family, but we selfishly regret his decision. I know I 
speak for all who have ever worked with Mal in saying it has been an 
honor and a pleasure working with him. I would urge him to get at least 
a good week or two of rest and relaxation, because I know many of us in 
Congress will still be relying on his continued advice and input. Mal, 
we wish you and your family the best in retirement and continued 
success in the future.

                          ____________________