[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO 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. Today Judy serves as the first woman 
staff director of the Senate Armed Services Committee. During my time 
as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Judy was the 
minority staff director.
  How proud I am; how proud the Senate is that Judy Ansley has been 
selected for the position of 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 stepping down as the staff 
director for the Armed Services Committee after next week. 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 exceptional 
leadership to the committee during challenging times, and I am deeply 
grateful for her profound concern for the issues facing the men and 
women of our armed services. I am confident 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 never hesitated to express them. I trust she will most 
respectfully continue to offer her candid assessments in her new job at 
the White House.
  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 advisor 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 wise 
counsel. 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 Megan and Rachel--in 
celebrating this achievement.
  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 colonel after 26 
years of distinguished service. I was privileged to work with this 
outstanding public servant during his previous term with the Committee, 
and I look forward to collaborating with him in the months ahead.

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