[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7813-S7814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CHANGE OF COMMAND FOR THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. president, on July 21, 2000 our colleague Senator 
John McCain delivered an address at the Change of Command ceremony were 
Admiral Jay Johnson stepped down from his distinguished career to be 
succeeded by Admiral Vern Clark as the 27th Chief of Naval Operations.
  I was privileged to be present, together with Roberta McCain, Senator 
McCain's mother, to listen to his stirring remarks to our Navy-Marine 
Corps men and women-both present and serving throughout the world in 
the cause of freedom. Our colleague has a long and distinguished career 
in and with our military. His heartfelt delivery was genuine and his 
message was inspirational. I ask unanimous consent that his remarks be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

      Senator John McCain Speech for CNO Retirement July 21, 2000

       Thank you, Admiral Johnson, Secretary Cohen, Secretary 
     Danzig, General Shelton, Admiral Clark, the Joint Chiefs, 
     Medal of Honor recipients, members of Congress, members of 
     the Naval Academy Board of Visitors, distinguished flag and 
     general officers of the U.S. and Allied Forces, guests, 
     families and friends. And thank you, midshipmen of the Class 
     of 2004.
       I am greatly honored to be here today, and to participate 
     in this wonderful ceremony as the men and women of the United 
     States Navy officially welcome their new Chief of Naval 
     Operations, Admiral Vernon Clark, and say farewell and thank 
     you to the man who has led you so well for more than four 
     years, my good friend, Admiral Jay Johnson.
       It has never been enough that an officer of the Navy should 
     be a capable mariner. He must be that, of course, but also a 
     great deal more. He should be, and I quote, ``a gentleman of 
     liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and 
     the nicest sense of personal honor.'' End quote.
       For those of you who know your plebe rates, you recognize 
     that those words were written by a man who is buried here at 
     the Naval Academy, underneath the Chapel dome. John Paul 
     Jones had a clear vision for the qualifications of a Naval 
     Officer over 220 years ago, qualifications that Admiral 
     Johnson and Admiral Clark not only meet, but exceed.
       Admiral Johnson and I have known each other for a long 
     time. We both served on the USS ORISKANY during the Vietnam 
     War. He flew an F8 Crusader in two combat cruises, trying to 
     finish the war so those of us who weren't as good a pilot as 
     he was could come home a little earlier. And for that I am 
     extremely grateful!
       Of the many lessons I learned from Vietnam, one that I 
     value highly is the realization that although Americans have 
     fought valiantly in many noble causes, we are not assured 
     that the battle will always be necessary or the field well-
     chosen. In the end, Americans at war, professional and 
     conscript alike, always find their honor in their answer, if 
     not their summons. My friend, Admiral Johnson found much 
     honor in his answer to our country's call to arms.
       In better times, Admiral Johnson and I again worked 
     together on behalf of the service we both want to see 
     succeed. As a member of Congress, I have admired his meteoric 
     rise as an Air Wing, Battle Group, Joint Task Force and Fleet 
     Commander. As the Vice Chief and then Chief of Naval 
     Operations, Jay's frank counsel on issues affecting the 
     defense of our country has been of great value to me, and 
     other members of Congress.
       Applying his philosophy that emphasizes Operational 
     Primacy, Leadership, Teamwork and Pride, Admiral Johnson has 
     guided the Navy for the past four years, skillfully balancing 
     mandated reductions in force with dramatically increased 
     operational tasking.
       He has been a champion of reform. He improved the Inter-
     Deployment Training Cycle--the period between deployments--
     the largest quality-of-life initiative of the past decade, by 
     reducing at-sea time and ensuring that sailors could spend 
     more time in port with their families. His improvements 
     included empowering the Navy's commanding officers by 
     removing redundant inspections and burdensome paperwork and 
     raising morale among the sailors, while giving commanders the 
     opportunity to truly lead their ships, squadrons, submarines 
     and SEAL teams.
       Admiral Johnson also led the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 
     calling for the largest personnel pay increases in the past 
     decade. He was the first Chief to step forward and support 
     food stamp relief for our most needy sailors, soldiers, 
     airmen, and marines. In addition, he led the charge for Pay 
     Table Reform, which increased our sailors' pay beginning this 
     month. He was instrumental in restoring full retirement pay 
     for military retirees, and in pushing for larger increases in 
     annual military pay raises. The dramatic improvements in this 
     years' defense authorization bill, which passed the Senate 
     last week are, in large part, due to Jay Johnson's influence.
       The men and women he has commanded have responded to his 
     outstanding leadership by performing superbly themselves in 
     combat in Iraq and the Balkans. They have kept the peace and 
     have won the wars, and for that, we are forever indebted to 
     our sailors, soldiers, airmen, and marines and to people 
     like Admiral Clark who has been involved in every Navy 
     conflict over the past 32 years.
       Admiral Johnson's skill in working with people clearly 
     reflects his close family relationships. This year, Admiral 
     Johnson was aptly deemed Father of the Year by the National 
     Father's Day Committee.
       The Class of 1968 has asked me to announce at today's 
     ceremony that they have chosen Admiral Jay Johnson to be the 
     honoree of the Class of 1968 Leadership Award that will endow 
     a gift to the Superintendent of the Naval Academy for the 
     Leadership and Ethics Curriculum. Congratulations Jay.
       Admiral Clark, we welcome you and Connie to the helm of 
     this great Navy. I am confident that the Navy will continue 
     to flourish under your leadership.

[[Page S7814]]

     You have already demonstrated that the key to your strength 
     as a leader is in supporting the people of the U.S. Navy. I 
     was heartened to hear you openly back programs like food 
     stamp relief for service members, and testify at your Senate 
     confirmation hearing this spring about the sailors that, I 
     quote,
       ``We know that nothing is impossible with them. We can't do 
     readiness. We can't successfully complete missions. No, we 
     can't be victorious without them. And so nothing is more 
     important to me than them.'' End quote.
       The Navy has selected an outstanding 27th Chief of Naval 
     Operations, another Vietnam combat veteran, a Destroyer-man 
     who brings an outstanding breadth of command and joint 
     leadership. Admiral, it is clear that you are more than 
     capable of continuing the strong, insightful leadership 
     provided by Admiral Johnson, leadership which will be 
     required to guide the Navy with the vigilance and courage 
     needed to implement reforms.
       Forty-five years ago this August, when I was a youngster at 
     the academy, I stood in Dahlgren Hall to hear the words of 
     Admiral Arleigh Burke as he became the New Chief of Naval 
     Operations. He went on to serve an unprecedented, 
     distinguished three terms as CNO.
       The uncertainties and challenges of the age we live in 
     stand in stark contrast to the moment in which Admiral 
     Arleigh Burke summoned his destroyer squadron and ordered 
     them into battle against a superior Japanese fleet. They had 
     to attack at the Bougainville coast to protect the landings 
     in progress at Empress Augusta Bay. Defeat--a mathematical 
     probability if not certainty--would have led to a loss of the 
     battle and left vulnerable nearly all naval defenses of the 
     Southern Pacific.
       What compelled Admiral Burke to take what seemed such a 
     desperate gamble by committing the little ships of Destroyer 
     Squadron 23, the Little Beavers, against the immense strength 
     of the Japanese fleet? What explains his firm faith in the 
     reliability of the intelligence upon which he based the 
     supposition of his ships and his confidence in the men who 
     would command them in battle? How was he sure that the 
     Americans whom he ordered into harm's way would obey his 
     orders and reward his trust with such courage and 
     resourcefulness?
       He believed in his people. He believed in their courage and 
     their ability. He knew that they, like he, were empowered by 
     the justice of their cause, by a love of America expressed in 
     action, and in sacrifice. Trust, derived from his 
     appreciation of his countrymen's virtues, and his wisdom and 
     confidence about how they would discharge their duties in a 
     desperate battle was the essence of Admiral Burke's 
     extraordinary leadership.
       By memorializing Admiral Burke, we memorialize the very 
     finest virtues of our blessed country. We also pay tribute to 
     the attributes of leadership embodied in the service of 
     Admiral Johnson and Admiral Clark, attributes that are 
     reflected in their actions to support the men and women under 
     their command.
       The greatness of our destiny rests in the hands of every 
     man and woman blessed to call America home. That's why 
     Admiral Johnson has taken so seriously his responsibilities 
     to his sailors. He knew that together they shared equally in 
     the honor of defending a great nation. Admiral, you will be 
     the first to direct all praise to the men and women under 
     your command. But I know that they would direct it back to 
     you--the man at the helm.
       Jay, you have served your Navy and your nation well. I want 
     to thank you and Garland for your many years of exemplary 
     service to America, and bid you fair winds and following 
     seas, for I know we will see you again. I know you will find 
     new ways to serve the Navy and America, and I will always 
     rely on your wise counsel.
       Admiral Clark and Connie, congratulations and welcome. I am 
     confident that you will both distinguish the noble tradition 
     you inherit today. Admiral, I look forward to working with 
     you as you lead the Navy toward its always magnificent 
     destiny.
       I would like to close by speaking directly to the women and 
     men of the U.S. Navy. As we stand here this morning, our 
     sailors are risking their lives above, on, and below the 
     ocean.
       But this risk is not without reward--the reward of serving 
     a cause greater than one's own self-interest. I commend your 
     service in the Navy. I hold the Navy closer to my heart than 
     any other human institution that I have ever been a part of--
     save my family. The Navy for many years was the only world I 
     knew. It is still the world I know best and love most.
       I trust in your willingness and ability to uphold the honor 
     of your Navy and your country, for I have seen the best of 
     America in my travels over the last year and know that 
     America deeply appreciates your service. I recognize that we 
     still have many miles to sail to ensure that you are properly 
     rewarded for your continued sacrifice and service to our 
     nation.
       Make the most of these days, for you will never forget the 
     honor of your service in this Navy. Nor will your country 
     forget the honor you gave her in seas where so many 
     Americans, like Admiral Burke and Admiral Johnson, fought for 
     the love of their country. Admiral Johnson, I thank you for 
     the honor of inviting me to return to a place I love so well. 
     Admiral Clark, I offer my best wishes and look forward to 
     working with you. Thank you.

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