[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9529-S9530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Nomination of Adm. Jay L. Johnson

  Mr. WARNER. On that list, Mr. President, appears the name of Admiral 
Johnson, who will take over as Chief of Naval Operations, succeeding 
Admiral Boorda, a man for whom all of us had the highest respect, a man 
in whom the Navy, from the lowest ranking enlisted sailors to the top 
flag officers, had confidence. In the wake of the tragedy concerning 
Admiral Boorda, it will be a challenge for Admiral Johnson to lead the 
Navy. But having gotten to know him, having talked to many, many naval 
officers who know him, both active and retired, I can say that he is 
regarded as the man best qualified in the U.S. Navy today to assume 
this role of leadership at this time in the Navy's history.
  Mr. President, I would like to read from a letter forwarded to me by 
a former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Trost. Admiral Trost once 
served with me in the Department of the Navy. He was my naval aide. He 
writes as follows: ``Admiral Johnson enjoys the confidence of his 
fellow flag officers who see him as the team leader who will lead them 
in successfully meeting the challenges which face our Navy now and in 
the future. He is the officer deemed best-suited to lead our superb 
Navy onward into the 21st century.''
  May the new Chief have ``fair winds and following seas.''
  I yield the floor, Mr. President.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I do not support the nomination of Admiral 
Johnson for the top uniformed position in the Navy, Chief of Naval 
Operations. I take this position because I believe that the stormy seas 
that the Navy has experienced in recent years call for the selection of 
Navy leaders who can serve as an inspiration not only in their 
warfighting specialties and military prowess, but who also demonstrate 
a solid commitment to the avoidance of the slightest appearance of 
conflict of interest.
  In this case, Admiral Johnson received substantial sums of money, 
over $175,000 over the last 6 years, to serve on the board of an 
insurance company, USAA, which caters to military officers. I know that 
his acceptance of this position was legitimate, and was entirely legal. 
I do not know how much

[[Page S9530]]

time the position demanded of Admiral Johnson in his off-duty hours. I 
do not raise any issue of wrongdoing in this matter. But there is the 
inherent appearance of conflict of interest in serving as an active 
duty Admiral while appearing to endorse a commercial insurance service 
catering to other naval officers, by virtue of the fact that he 
accepted a paid position on its Board of Directors. I note that the 
Secretary of Defense has now disallowed this practice of serving on 
such boards for renumeration, but I think it does not show the kind of 
judgement I would expect of someone whose personal example must guide 
the Navy after an era with too many instances of misconduct and poor 
judgment on the part of Navy leaders.
  I support the Navy. It involves tough, demanding work, with long 
periods of family separation serving in dangerous environments across 
the world. The spirit of courageous service and the expertise the Navy 
daily demonstrates in warfighting and in making ready for warfighting 
needs to be matched with better judgement in areas involving apparent 
financial conflicts of interest. These issues of character need to be 
addressed in a way that will serve as a sorely needed example in a 
society where standards and values seem to be slipping away from where 
they should be. This is the message I wish to convey in stating my 
opposition to this nomination. Let the record show that, if a roll call 
vote were taken on this nomination, I would be recorded as voting 
``no.''
  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise in strong support of the 
nomination of Adm. Jay Johnson to serve as Chief of Naval Operations.
  As the chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Armed Services 
Committee, I have taken a very close look at Admiral Johnson's record 
of service, his leadership qualities, his vision for the Navy and his 
character to insure he will lead the Navy with distinction and honor 
into the next century.
  Based upon all of the information provided to the Armed Services 
Committee and a private meeting in my office, I have concluded Admiral 
Johnson is the best person to assume the challenges and opportunities 
that appear on the horizon for the next Chief of Naval Operations.
  Admiral Johnson has an exceptional record of performance as a naval 
aviator. During his career, Admiral Johnson has also served with 
distinction in numerous command positions such as Commanding Officer 
VF-84, Commander Carrier Air Wing One, Commander Carrier Group Eight, 
Commander Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group, Commander Second Fleet, 
Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic, and Commander Joint Task Force 120. 
In March, 1996 Admiral Johnson reported for duty as the 28th Vice Chief 
of Naval Operations.
  A review of Adm. Jay Johnson's record indicates leadership qualities 
that will serve him well as our Nation's next Chief of Naval 
Operations. I strongly support Admiral Johnson's confirmation to serve 
as the next CNO. I have every confidence Admiral Johnson will serve our 
Nation well in this important position.

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