[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 45 (Monday, April 8, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RETIREMENT OF GENERAL JAMES MATTIS

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I honor an exceptional warrior and 
scholar. After a lifetime of service to our Nation, Gen. James N. 
Mattis is retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps and his current position 
as Commander of the United States Central Command. On this occasion I 
believe it is fitting to recognize General Mattis' 41 years of 
uniformed service to our Nation.
  The general was commissioned a second lieutenant on January 1, 1972. 
He has served in every major combat operation of his era and led at 
every level from platoon to theater command. Upon promotion to 
brigadier general, he commanded first the 1st Marine Expeditionary 
Brigade and then Task Force 58, during Operation Enduring Freedom in 
southern Afghanistan. As a major general, he commanded the 1st Marine 
Division during the initial attack and subsequent stability operations 
in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. General Mattis led marines into 
Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003--the defining conflicts of our 
age.
  General Mattis is well known for his dedication and intellect. When 
selected to command the U.S. Central Command, then Secretary of 
Defense, Robert Gates, called him ``one of the military's most 
innovative and iconoclastic thinkers.'' He has proved to be that and 
more. General Mattis is known to carry books on philosophy with him on 
every combat mission. He is said to have a personal library of over 
6,000 books that he takes with him to every new command. Even more 
important than his intellect and bravery, is his ability to connect 
with and lead our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. In March 2003, 
he wrote a letter to all forces under his command, telling them to 
``engage your brain before you engage your weapon.'' I have had the 
pleasure of meeting those under his command and am always impressed by 
the respect and favor he carries amongst them.
  I most respect General Mattis' willingness to speak truth to power. 
His candor is a facet of a professionalism that has been exacted over a 
lifetime and exercised during a most impressive military career. 
Thoughtful leaders throughout government will feel his absence. I join 
many past and present members of the Senate Armed Services Committee in 
my gratitude to General Mattis for his outstanding leadership and his 
unwavering support of servicemembers. General James Mattis' service has 
evinced the meaning of the words ``Semper Fidelis.'' I wish him ``fair 
winds and following seas.''

                          ____________________