[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         COMMENDING JUDY ANSLEY

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to commend an outstanding 
public servant, Judy Ansley, who for many years has worked as 
diligently and as ably as anyone with whom I have had the privilege of 
serving during my years in the Senate.
  When I was vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I 
selected Judy Ansley to serve as the first woman minority staff 
director. Today, Judy is the first woman staff director of the Senate 
Armed Services Committee which I chair.
  How proud I am; how proud the Senate is that Judy has been selected 
to be the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for 
European Affairs at the National Security Council. The administration 
could not have made a better choice for this important post, and I am 
confident that Judy will serve her country with dignity and honor, as 
she has done throughout her extensive career in public service.
  My only regret is that Judy Ansley will be leaving the Armed Services 
Committee after next week to move to the White House. Over the course 
of the last 6 years, Judy has dedicated her time, energy, and 
intelligence to the work of the committee with great enthusiasm. As the 
deputy staff director and staff director, Judy has provided excellent 
leadership to the committee during challenging times, and I am deeply 
thankful for her profound concern for the issues facing the men and 
women of our armed services. I am sure that my colleagues on the 
committee would agree that she has been an indispensable resource for 
our efforts. In those instances where she had professional views in 
opposition to mine, she has never hesitated to express them. I trust 
that she will most respectfully do the same for the President.
  As the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, I have had the 
opportunity to observe closely Judy's indefatigable efforts. Before she 
joined the committee, Judy served as my national security adviser for 5 
years, and her keen judgment and incisiveness were readily apparent 
throughout her work. Truly, while I am pleased that the administration 
will be gaining such a remarkable asset, I will miss Judy's counsel and 
extraordinary nature. I send my deepest gratitude to Judy as she begins 
her transition to the National Security Council, and I join with her 
wonderful family, husband Steve and daughters Rachel and Megan, in 
celebrating this achievement.
  Mr. President, I also take this opportunity to announce Judy's 
successor as staff director for the Armed Services Committee. I have 
asked Mr. Charles S. Abell, the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of 
Defense for Personnel and Readiness, to become the new staff director, 
and it gives me great pleasure to note that he has accepted this 
responsibility.
  A humble and devoted patriot, Charlie Abell has served his country 
with valor in every endeavor. Before joining the administration, 
Charlie was an exceptional member of the Armed Services Committee 
professional staff. During his years with the committee staff, Charlie 
was the lead staffer for the Subcommittee on Personnel, including 
issues of military readiness and quality of life. A highly decorated 
soldier, he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colone1 after 26 
years of distinguished service, and he brought a profound insight to 
his duties with the committee. I was privileged to work with this 
outstanding individual during his previous term with the committee, and 
I look forward to collaborating with him in the months ahead.

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