[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      APPRECIATING DONALD RUMSFELD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2021

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, America has lost a 
Patriot with the death of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the 
youngest Secretary when serving in the Gerald Ford Administration and 
the eldest in the George W. Bush Administration. His service has been 
successful in protecting American families by defeating terrorists 
overseas. The Wall Street Journal on July 1st, editorialized his 
dedication for America:

                           Donald H. Rumsfeld

       Few men have had more consequential careers in public and 
     private life than Donald Rumsfeld, the senior adviser to 
     three Presidents and business executive, who died Tuesday at 
     age 88.
       A conservative Midwesterner, he served in the Navy and won 
     a seat in Congress from Illinois in 1962. Richard Nixon 
     spotted his talent and brought him in as an adviser. His star 
     rose quickly and he became chief of staff and then secretary 
     of Defense for Gerald Ford, the youngest Pentagon chief at 
     age 43.
       Outside of politics, Rummy, as he was sometimes known, was 
     the CEO of G.D. Searle, the pharmaceutical firm, from 1977-
     1985 and advised Gilead Sciences in its early days as a 
     director and chairman of the board.
       Rumsfeld was most controversial during his second stint as 
     Defense secretary in managing the wars in Iraq and 
     Afghanistan. He pressed the military to refine its invasion 
     plans that in both cases achieved their goals quickly and 
     with few casualties. But he underestimated the strength and 
     nature of the insurgency in Iraq, and he failed to change 
     strategy. President George W. Bush didn't help by failing to 
     settle disputes between State and Defense. Mr. Bush replaced 
     Rumsfeld in 2006 to implement the surge that prevented a U.S. 
     defeat.
       Rumsfeld didn't suffer naifs, or journalists, gladly. But 
     we always enjoyed the give and take and learned a great deal 
     listening to him. He was a patriot willing to challenge 
     recalcitrant bureaucracies, which we need more of today.

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