[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 90 (Friday, June 21, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S4981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL JAMES G. STAVRIDIS

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to honor a great 
American on his retirement. ADM James G. Stavridis will retire at the 
end of this month after a distinguished Navy career lasting 37 years. 
During that career, he commanded forces at several levels, including a 
destroyer, a destroyer squadron, and a carrier strike group.
  He has also held significant joint commands, including U.S. Southern 
Command and, most recently, U.S. European Command, EUCOM, and Supreme 
Allied Commander in Europe. Of note, he was the first Navy officer to 
command EUCOM.
  At EUCOM, Admiral Stavridis had the very difficult task of ensuring 
that the members of the coalition operating in Afghanistan, the 
International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, pulled together as a 
coherent team to support NATO strategic objectives there. In this 
position, Admiral Stavridis was a steady voice upon whom we could 
always rely for an accurate assessment of the facts on the ground.
  Admiral Stavridis was a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval 
Academy, the Naval War College, and the National War College. He also 
was an outstanding student at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, 
where he earned two degrees: a doctor of philosophy and a master of 
arts in law and diplomacy.
  Admiral Stavridis has been a strong leader of the men and women in 
his commands, but he has also been a leading strategic thinker with the 
Department. He has published numerous articles and essays, and has co-
authored several books on subjects as diverse as ship handling and 
foreign policy.
  I am pleased that Admiral Stavridis will continue to make his talents 
available to our country. Admiral Stavridis will assume new roles as 
dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and chairman of the 
board of the United States Naval Institute.
  On behalf of the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I 
wish Admiral Stavridis ``fair winds and following seas'' as he 
approaches a new set of challenges in life. I know he will bring to 
them the same steady hand, good heart and clear thinking he has given 
to our Nation for almost four decades.

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