[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4456-S4457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO NAVY REAR ADMIRAL JOHN D. HUTSON, USN

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, USN, the Judge Advocate General 
of the Navy. Admiral Hutson will retire from the Navy on August 1, 
2000, having completed a distinguished 27-year career of service to our 
Nation.
  Admiral Hutson was born in North Muskegon, Michigan, and is a 
graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota 
Law School. He also earned a Master of Laws degree in labor law from 
Georgetown University Law Center.
  During his military career, Admiral Hutson excelled at all facets of 
his chosen professions of law and naval service. He served as a trial 
and defense counsel at the Law Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, 
faithfully preserving military justice at its very foundations. As a 
staff judge advocate, he provided legal counsel to Commanding Officers 
at Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, California, and Portsmouth Naval 
Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. He served as an instructor and later as the 
Commanding Officer of Naval Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island, 
playing a critical role in preparing and mentoring future generations 
of judge advocates.
  As the Executive Officer of the Naval Legal Service Office, Newport, 
Rhode Island, and later the Commanding Officer, Naval Legal Service 
Office, Europe and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, Admiral Hutson proved 
to be an inspiring leader. He guided young judge advocates in the 
understanding, appreciation and dedication of their roles as both judge 
advocates and naval officers, exemplifying the Navy's core values of 
honor, courage, and commitment.

[[Page S4457]]

  During his career Admiral Hutson also provided counsel and support to 
senior leaders while serving as the Staff Judge Advocate and Executive 
Assistant to the Commander, Naval Investigative Command and as 
Executive Assistant to the Judge Advocate General of the Navy.
  I am sure many of my colleagues remember and appreciate Admiral 
Hutson's service as a legislative counsel and later as the Director of 
Legislation in the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs. During these 
assignments, he directly contributed to clear and thorough 
communication with Congress on the interests of the Navy in a broad 
range of legislative matters.
  Admiral Hutson's dedication to service and superior performance in 
all assignments appropriately culminated in his appointment as the 36th 
Judge Advocate General of the Navy. In this role, he provided 
invaluable legal service to both the Secretary of the Navy and the 
Chief of Naval Operations, and the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He 
fulfilled these duties with great distinction, leaving the Judge 
Advocate General's Corps strong and well-prepared for the challenges of 
the 21st century.
  It is fitting that following his retirement Admiral Hutson will 
become the Dean of the Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, New 
Hampshire, where he will continue to lead and mentor future servants of 
the law.
  Mr. President, the Nation, the United States Navy, and the Judge 
Advocate General's Corps have been made better through the talent and 
dedication of Rear Admiral John D. Hutson. I know all of my colleagues 
join me in wishing him and his wife, Paula, fair winds and following 
seas.

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