[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   TRIBUTE TO HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE STAFF MEMBER DOUGLAS H. 
                               NECESSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2000

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and pay 
tribute to Douglas H. Necessary, on the occasion of his retirement from 
the House Armed Services Committee staff after more than 15 years. He 
will be greatly missed by Members and staff alike.
  Doug began his public service in the U.S. Army where he distinguished 
himself over a 20-year career. He rose from the enlisted ranks, 
received his commission, and was highly decorated during two combat 
tours in Vietnam as an infantry officer and retired as a lieutenant 
colonel. While in the Army, Doug also earned a Bachelor of Science 
degree from Auburn University and a Master of Arts degree from the 
Florida Institute of Technology.
  Doug's accomplishments on the committee are numerous. He came to the 
House Armed Services Committee in October 1984, bringing skills that 
were especially useful in the areas of military procurement, 
acquisition reform, and research and development. Since 1993, Doug has 
served as the lead staff person responsible for those issues while 
working for both the full committee and for the Ranking Minority 
Member. Doug guided two legislative initiatives, the Federal 
Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 and the Clinger/Cohen Federal 
Acquisition Reform Act of 1996, that were landmark efforts to modernize 
and rectify a severely troubled military procurement process. Doug also 
pioneered efforts, in concert with Chairman Ron Dellums (D-CA), to 
better develop the Department of Defense's Small and Disadvantaged 
Business initiatives, particularly the Mentor-Protege program.
  Doug had a profound effect on the procurement of all of the 
Department of Defense's major weapons programs. At various times, he 
was the committee's staff person in charge of each of the services 
procurement programs, before becoming the lead staff with 
responsibility for all of the Department's programs. Doug became the 
ultimate expert on complex systems such as Ballistic Missile Defense, 
Theater Missile Defense, the V-22 Osprey, the B-2 bomber, the C-17, the 
F/A-18, and many others. His expertise was recognized not only by the 
Members of the House, but was also highly regarded by senior officials 
in the Department of Defense. His decisions about hardware programs 
were frequently guided by the awareness that the programs would result 
in weapons systems that would have to be used by real people, and he 
brought that kind of common sense approach to all of the issues he 
worked.
  Doug has always integrated the depth of his factual knowledge with a 
keen sense of the realities that existed in the political and fiscal 
environment of the time. His advice allowed Members to understand what 
was important and what was possible. Because we knew what options 
existed, we were able to significantly advance our legislative 
initiatives. His work was always thorough and unbiased, and he had a 
unique knack for being able to explain complex and arcane subjects to 
novices and experts alike.
  Perhaps the hallmark of Doug's career on the Hill was that he never 
lost sight of the ultimate goals of good government and sound national 
security policies. Good stewardship of the taxpayers' dollars and doing 
what was in America's best interests were always the guiding principles 
in his work. There is no doubt that the country is better off because 
of his extraordinary efforts.
  I know I speak for countless members and staff when I thank Doug 
Necessary for his outstanding service to the country, to the House of 
Representatives, and to the Armed Services Committee. His expertise, 
his honesty, his friendliness, his availability, and perhaps especially 
his sense of humor, will be sorely missed. We wish Doug well as he 
moves on to the next phase of his life, knowing that he will make a 
difference for the better wherever he goes.

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