[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 96 (Thursday, June 14, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7723-S7724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          HONORING JOHN WARNER

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, on June 5, I had the privilege of attending 
a gala where my friends Lee Hamilton and John Warner received the 
George C. Marshall Foundation Award honoring statesmen of courage and 
integrity.
  At the event our former colleague, Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker, 
introduced Senator Warner. I appreciate this opportunity to share with 
my fellow Senators her speech honoring the distinguished career of our 
colleague and friend. I ask unanimous consent that the speech of Nancy 
Kassebaum Baker be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record.

       I first met John Warner when the new Senators elected in 
     1978, including me, gathered in Washington. The teacher 
     instructing us was Howard Baker.
       John Warner already had behind him a distinguished career 
     in service to his country--World War II, Korea, Under 
     Secretary of the Navy and then Secretary of the Navy during 
     the Vietnam War.
       As a recipient this evening of the George C. Marshall 
     Foundation Award, along with Congressman Lee Hamilton, I am 
     certain that Senator Warner would agree with the emphasis 
     that the George C. Marshall Foundation has placed on the 
     importance of the ROTC and JROTC programs.
       The idea of educating and training Army officers goes back 
     to the 1700s. The first civilian institution of higher 
     learning to incorporate military education into its 
     curriculum was founded in 1819 in Vermont. There have been 
     peaks and valleys in support of such a program ever since. It 
     would be my hope that there could be ever stronger support to 
     the JROTC and ROTC programs in training future leaders in 
     responsibility, dedication and integrity in service to our 
     country. I hope, John, you don think I am lobbying you as a 
     member of the Armed Services Committee.
       You may not remember, but I well do, my first debate in the 
     Senate, June 1980. I had offered an amendment and you led the 
     opposition. You kept saying ``my distinguished colleague of 
     Kansas,'' and I kept saying this just makes common sense. The 
     question was whether 18-19-year-old women should also be 
     included in the reinstitution of the male-only registration 
     program. It seems a rather quaint debate in the scheme of 
     things today.
       Time marched on--28 years--Senator Warner is now the second 
     longest serving Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia. I 
     believe there has never been a Chairman of the Armed Services 
     Committee who has been better prepared for an understanding 
     of the Armed Services.
       But beyond just material security interests you have 
     provided thoughtful consideration of all issues facing our 
     country and our Armed Services.

[[Page S7724]]

       You are truly a Senator Statesman.
       On behalf of the Marshall Foundation, I am pleased to 
     present the 2007 George C. Marshall Foundation Award to 
     Senator John Warner.

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