[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE FOR LT. COMDR. LEIGH MADDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 1997

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, today, it is with special 
pride that I rise to pay tribute to a friend, a great American, and a 
U.S. Navy SEAL, Lt. Comdr. Leigh Madden. The Navy's elite Sea-Air Land 
[SEAL] Forces represent a component of the U.S. Special Operations 
Command [SOCOM]. The people who comprise our Special Operations Forces 
[SOF] are specially trained, highly skilled, and extremely intelligent 
men and women. On a daily basis, our SOF exceed established standards, 
go that extra mile or, in Lieutenant Commander Madden's case, swim 
those extra miles in cold and dangerous conditions in order to prepare 
for deployment on some of our Nation's most sensitive and critical 
missions.
  Just as the men and women of SOF can, on a moment's notice, integrate 
their special ops capabilities into a full spectrum of operations 
ranging from peacetime activities to war, throughout his career 
Lieutenant Commander Madden continues to use his skills and talents to 
succeed in a wide range of assignments.
  Lieutenant Commander Madden's service to his country in Special 
Operations began in 1985 with his attendance and successful completion 
of the most challenging and physically demanding course in the U.S. 
military, Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL [BUDS] training. After 
graduating BUDS class 138, Leigh Madden spent the next 8 years serving 
in SEAL Teams on both the west coast and the east coast. Deploying over 
the years to more than 20 different countries in Asia, Central and 
South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, Lieutenant Commander 
Madden spent more time in worldwide hotspots than he did in his own 
hometown.
  Lieutenant Commander Madden's experience and reputation as one of the 
finest in the Special Operations community ultimately led to his 
assignment as a leader of one of this country's most accomplished 
combat units. Because of the sensitive nature, the exploits of this 
unit must remain secret. Although at times Leigh has served in the 
covert world, it is evident that as he was placed in positions of 
rapidly increasing responsibility, he successfully met each challenge 
and his career quickly progressed.
  Thus, when the leadership of the U.S. Special Operations Command 
required someone to work in the highly visible and politically 
significant Legislative Affairs Office, they knew Lieutenant Commander 
Madden was the person for the job. SOCOM knew they could count on 
Lieutenant Commander Madden to use his experience, skills, and 
education in a way that would clearly illustrate the importance of SOF 
while also conveying to U.S. policymakers the needs of Special 
Operators in the field.
  In his position as deputy director of legislative affairs for SOCOM, 
Lieutenant Commander Madden provided Members of Congress with a better 
understanding of how the wide-ranging capabilities of our SOF relate to 
today's dynamic international environment. Lieutenant Commander Madden 
ensured that Senators, Representatives, and their staffs visited our 
Special Operations Forces around the globe. As a result of these trips, 
I and many others have been able to see firsthand the many 
contributions to our national security made by the first-rate men and 
women of the Special Operations Community.
  In working with the Congress these past 2\1/2\ years, Leigh's sense 
of duty, his political acumen, and his ability to understand an issue 
from all angles has not only averted conflict but has resulted in sound 
decisions, decisions that were best for the Special Operations 
Community and for our Nation. One of the many tangible results of 
Lieutenant Commander Madden's diligence is the fact that the SEALS can 
expect the Advanced Seal Delivery System to be delivered into the fleet 
by late 1999 or early 2000.
  Sadly for many of us in Congress who have had the pleasure and honor 
of working with Lieutenant Commander Madden, it is time for Leigh to 
return to the world that is his first love, the cold, wet, hard, and 
dangerous world of a Navy SEAL. On this assignment, his skills and 
experience as one of the Nation's best Special Operators will be put to 
immediate use in protecting our Nation.
  Much as I take great pride in continuing the Kennedy family tradition 
of supporting our Special Operations Forces, Lieutenant Commander 
Madden can take great pride in a job exceptionally well done. On behalf 
of the U.S. Congress, I want to thank Lieutenant Commander Madden for 
his continuing service to this Nation and extend to both Leigh and his 
wife, Jessie, ``Fair winds and following seas.''

                          ____________________