[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 29, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3807-S3808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. PAUL KAMINSKI

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, for the past 2\1/2\ years, 
members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services have been privileged 
to work with Dr. Paul G. Kaminski, who is serving as the Under 
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology. Dr. Kaminski has 
led the Department of Defense through the most significant reform of 
the Nation's defense acquisition system in 50 years. I believe it is 
appropriate for the Senate to recognize the outstanding service 
rendered the Nation by Dr. Kaminski on the occasion of his retirement 
from Federal service later this spring.
  During his tenure as the Defense Acquisition Executive, Dr. Kaminski 
established the broad outlines of the technologies and systems that 
will form the cutting edge of this Nation's defense capabilities well 
into the next century. His scientific counsel and leadership were 
instrumental in charting a course ahead for a system of systems 
including this Nation's national security space systems, heavy bomber 
force, air mobility force, ballistic and cruise missile defense, 
tactical air forces, and attack submarine fleet.
  Dr. Kaminski ushered in a new era--a renaissance--in armaments 
cooperation with our friends and allies around the world. His vision, 
foresight and diplomacy have provided this Nation and our international 
partners with a broad spectrum of collaborative efforts and 
opportunities that include cooperation with Germany and Italy to 
develop a medium extended air defense system; cooperation with France, 
Germany, Italy, and Spain to develop, produce, and field an 
interoperable multifunctional information distribution system; and 
cooperation with the United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands on the 
development of a revolutionary new joint strike fighter.
  As steward of the Nation's defense acquisition system, Dr. Kaminski 
has guided the defense acquisition establishment through a period of 
revolutionary change and reform. He has changed the way our acquisition 
system supports America's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. 
Through establishment of integrated product teams--composed of war 
fighters, testers, trainers, doctrine writers, acquirers, and their 
industry contractors--Dr. Kaminski has dramatically improved the way 
weapon systems are developed, produced, and fielded. Perhaps Dr. 
Kaminski's greatest accomplishment is the pride and professionalism he 
has reinvigorated in the acquisition work force supporting our war 
fighters. The American people can take comfort in the fact that the 
U.S. defense acquisition work force is the very finest in the world. 
Our people are willing to think ``out-of-the-box'' and pushing hard to 
be better.
  Dr. Kaminski has been responsible for initiating a wholesale re-
engineering of the DOD logistics system. He recognized that for the 
revolution in U.S. military affairs to proceed--the DOD needed a new, 
compatible logistics support concept. His approach was to substitute 
information and fast transportation for inventory. As a result of his 
leadership and vision, logistics response times have improved 
significantly and inventories have been reduced dramatically.
  His reputation is well known in Congress--to those who have worked 
directly with him and even many who have not. He is highly respected as 
an individual of integrity, vision, scientific brilliance, and that 
rare trait of objectivity about what he is involved in. His work will 
continue to have a very profound and lasting impact upon the Nation's 
security for many years to come. The Nation owes a debt of gratitude to 
Dr. Kaminski. It has been my

[[Page S3808]]

distinct pleasure to be associated with this exceptional public servant 
in conjunction with my duties on the Armed Services Committee. I wish 
him well and anticipate that his coming years in the private sector 
will further contribute to the security of this Nation. My best wishes 
to Paul, his lovely wife Julia, and his two children Laura and Garrett, 
as they mark this special milestone.

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