[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4372-S4373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Charles S. Abell

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, it is with mixed emotions that I come 
before my colleagues today to express my profound congratulations to 
Mr. Charles S. Abell on the occasion of his confirmation by the Senate 
as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force

[[Page S4373]]

Management Policy. I have had the great pleasure and distinct honor to 
work with Charlie Abell for the past 8 years, during his service as a 
professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. While 
we are all extremely proud of him, it is difficult to see him go.
  Charlie Abell began his service to country with a distinguished 26-
year career in the U.S. Army. Charlie enlisted in the Army in 1966, and 
retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1992. During his military career, he 
served as both an infantry officer as well as a Cobra attack helicopter 
pilot. He was a highly decorated officer who led an infantry platoon, 
an infantry company, and attack helicopter units during two combat 
tours in Vietnam. Charlie has always been at the ``scene of action.''
  Mr. Abell's decorations include the Legion of Merit, four Meritorious 
Service Medals, the Purple Heart, two bronze stars for Valor, 14 Air 
Medals, two for valor, the Army Commendation Medal for valor and the 
Combat Infantryman's Badge.
  Following his successful Army career, Charlie joined the Senate Armed 
Services Committee staff. He has been a most valued member of our 
``team''. Charlie has been the lead staff member for the Personnel 
Subcommittee for the past eight years, and has been responsible for a 
wide range of issues concerning military personnel and quality of life. 
His expertise and counsel have been invaluable to the members of the 
Armed Services Committee--and indeed the Senate as a whole--as we have 
worked over the past several years to reform the military retirement 
system, enhance military pay, improve the military health care system, 
and honor our commitment to all military retirees to provide health 
care for life. Charlie's achievements with our Committee have truly 
touched the lives of all members of the military services--Active Duty, 
Reserve Components and retirees--and their families as well. I offer my 
sincere gratitude for his outstanding work in these endeavors on behalf 
of myself and all of the members and staff of the Committee on Armed 
Services.

  Today, Charlie Abell was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve in the 
position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy. 
While it is difficult for us to lose such a valuable member of our 
committee staff, we are all very proud of Charlie and know that he will 
be a very important addition to Secretary Rumfeld's staff. We will miss 
his professionalism, his depth of knowledge, his humility, and most of 
all his friendship. Charlie is a true professional and will continue to 
serve his country, and the Department of Defense with honor and 
distinction. I wish he and his wife, Cathy, fair winds and following 
seas, and will truly miss daily interactions with this dear friend and 
outstanding American.

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