[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S781-S782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              PHILIP HITCH

 Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the Defense Department and 
Congress recently lost an able and dedicated adviser. Mr. Philip Hitch, 
Department of

[[Page S782]]

Defense Deputy General Counsel for Fiscal Matters died recently at the 
age of 52. Phil had served the Department of Defense for 27 years in a 
number of positions.
  Mr. Hitch began his career in the Army, serving from 1971 to 1975 as 
an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate for the Military Traffic Management 
Command. Upon leaving the Army in 1975, he represented the Office of 
the Counsel for the Navy Comptroller. He became the Counsel for the 
Navy Comptroller in 1981.
  In 1992, Philip Hitch became the Deputy General Counsel for Fiscal 
Matters for the Department of Defense. In this role, Phil served the 
Defense Department capably by supporting DOD's legislative proposals 
regarding financial matters. Equally important, at a time of 
significant Congressional activity in the areas of Defense navigate its 
way through the process of change.
  However, few know that the Congress, particularly the Senate 
Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense, relied heavily on 
Phil for advice on general provisions and other financial legislation 
under consideration. In this sensitive and occasionally conflicting 
role, Phil was able to provide thoughtful and precise legal counsel 
while maintaining the trust the Committee needed in the delicate task 
of seeking Defense Department views on legislative proposals. In this 
role, Phil was able to make a significant contribution to the nation's 
defense acquisition process, serving both the Defense Department and 
committee on Appropriations as confidant and counsel.
  In a busy town dominated by people seeking to be heard and 
recognized, Phil Hitch generally sought neither. Indeed, one of Phil's 
strong qualities as his willingness to take time and listen to all 
aspects of the issue at hand. When asked for his advice, it was clear 
and concise--formulated to make the process of managing fiscal legal 
matters more productive for the nation as a whole.
  Fortunately, I can tell you that the quality of Phil's work was 
recognized through his receipt of the Presidential Rank Award for 
Meritorious Service and the Navy Distinguished Service Award. The Navy 
Distinguished Service Award notes that ``Mr. Hitch has left indelible 
contributions to the management and operations on the Department of the 
Navy.''
  Mr. President, the Defense Department and the Senate will miss his 
wise counsel.

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