[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14269-14270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL JAY L. JOHNSON

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor 
Admiral Jay L. Johnson, United States Navy, our 26th Chief of Naval 
Operations, as he prepares to turn over the helm of the United States 
Navy to his successor.
  As former Secretary of the Navy and a member of the Armed Services 
Committee for 22 years, I have worked closely with every Chief of Naval 
Operations since 1969. Admiral Johnson, in my view, ranks with the 
finest of this long line of great Chiefs.
  Thirty-six years ago, on the 30th of June, 1964, a young Midshipmen 
Johnson raised his hand on Tecumseh Court at the United States Naval 
Academy and took his oath of office to support and defend the 
Constitution. In the years since that day he has devoted indeed all of 
his great energy and talent to that task. Oceans of water have passed 
beneath the keels of the ships he has commanded and many men and women 
have stood proudly on their decks. He has been steadfast in his 
covenant to this nation and his devotion to those with whom he has 
served. An illustrious career gives eloquent testimony to his service 
to our country and his leadership of its Navy.
  He was commissioned an Ensign upon his graduation in 1968 and, 
demonstrating exceptional tactical and technical acumen, he soloed in 
both propeller and jet aircraft within six months, setting the pace for 
a most impressive future.
  His first sea duty tour was aboard U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA 34), where he 
made two combat cruises flying and fighting the F-8J Crusader over 
Vietnam with the Hellcats of VF-191. He flew the F-14 Tomcat as a 
Ghostrider of VF-142, a Grim Reaper of VF-101, and as Commanding 
Officer of the Jolly Rogers of VF-84.
  Admiral Johnson's follow-on sea tours demonstrated the tactical 
brilliance and the consensus-building skills that would characterize 
his tenure as CNO. As Commander, Carrier Air Wing ONE, he planned and 
coordinated the joint Navy and Air Force air strikes against Libya in 
response to terrorist acts in Europe. In this same carrier airwing, he 
successfully integrated the F/A-18C with the F-14, providing a superior 
day-night combat capability to our forward-deployed carrier battle 
groups.
  Admiral Johnson's early shore assignments reinforced his commitment 
to our Sailors as he served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, detailing 
junior aviation officers. His selection to the prestigious Chief of 
Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group further cemented his 
reputation as a Naval Warfare visionary, and marked him as a future 
leader of our nation's Navy.
  As a new Flag Officer, Admiral Johnson went back to the Bureau of 
Naval Personnel, where his profound concern for the well being of our 
Sailors resulted in dramatic improvements in retention and support of 
our Fleet Sailors. It is particularly noteworthy that these 
institutional changes were orchestrated at the same time he was 
coordinating the Navy's activation and call-up of Reserve Sailors in 
support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
  Back to sea in command of U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group, his 
tactical acumen and diplomatic skills proved key to a more efficient 
and combat-ready coalition of forces in Bosnian Theater operations.
  But nowhere was Admiral Johnson's leadership, focus on mission 
execution, and consensus-building skill more brilliantly demonstrated 
than in his next assignment as Commander, Second Fleet: Striking Fleet 
Atlantic and Joint Task Force 120. He simultaneously guided the 
Eisenhower Battle Group through preparations for its deployment to the 
Sixth Fleet while serving as the Deputy Commander for Operation Uphold 
Democracy, which restored the democratically elected government to 
Haiti.
  After serving as the Vice-Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Johnson 
took the helm of our Navy as its 26th Chief. He has exemplified the 
quiet dignity and honor of that office, ably and wisely counseling 
leaders at the highest echelons of our Government. His leadership, 
integrity and foresight have set a true and steady course for the Navy 
as it transitions into the 21st century. It has been written in ancient 
annals that ``anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.'' This man 
took the helm of our Navy in heavy seas. Steering by a constellation of 
four guide stars--Operational Primacy, Leadership, Teamwork, and 
Pride--Admiral Johnson guided the Navy through the shoals of four 
tempestuous years, balancing mandated reductions in forces with 
dramatically increased operational tasking. The Fleet's mission 
accomplishment in our forward operating areas overseas--at the tip of 
the spear--was never placed in doubt. And never for a moment did he 
loose sight of the interests of the men and women of our Navy.

[[Page 14270]]

  Admiral Johnson empowered the Navy's commanding officers by removing 
unnecessary inspections and burdensome paperwork, and gave these 
skippers the opportunity to lead and truly command their ships, 
submarines, squadrons, and SEAL teams. He also led the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff in calling for much-needed increases in the Navy's budget: Pay 
Table Reform and the reform of the Retirement Program are resulting in 
dramatic increases in retention of the Navy's most valuable asset--our 
Sailors.
  Admiral Johnson's legacy for the future of Naval Warfare is embodied 
in his vision of the Navy at sea and ashore. At sea, he has boldly 
committed his service to build upon the Navy's strategy laid down in 
``Forward From the Sea'' and the Marine Corps' ``Operational Maneuver 
From the Sea.'' He has championed the creation of a Navy and Marine 
Corps team that will directly and decisively influence events ashore--
anytime, anywhere. He has focused the Navy's research, development and 
investment capital upon improving the Fleet's ability to conduct Land 
Attack Warfare, Theater Air and Missile Defense, and Organic Mine 
Warfare. Admiral Johnson has prepared the Sailors and the Fleet to 
defeat future threats and he has created an information technology 
revolution at sea, which is dramatically and irreversibly changing the 
way we employ our Navy in peacetime, crisis, and war.
  Ashore, Admiral Johnson has re-invigorated the Naval War College, 
reminding us of the years prior to World War II, when the Navy's war 
games anticipated nearly every enemy operation. He has conducted Battle 
Experiments with cutting-edge technology and brought together the best 
minds of government, academia, business, and the military to create new 
rule sets for an international security environment characterized by an 
Internet-driven, global economy.
  Standing beside this officer throughout his superb career has been 
his wife Garland, a lady to whom he owes much. She has been his key 
supporter, devoting her life to her husband, to her family and to the 
men and women of the Navy family. She has traveled by his side for 
these many years visiting the Fleet. Her sacrifice and devotion have 
served as an example and inspiration for others. This team has served 
our Navy well and we will miss them both.
  With these words before the Senate, I seek to recognize Admiral 
Johnson for his unswerving loyalty to the Navy and the Nation. From the 
beginning, he has been a model Naval officer who has always done his 
duty to God and to Country. It has been my personal good fortune, and 
the Senate's good fortune as a whole, to witness Admiral Johnson's 
leadership of the finest Navy in the world.
  The Department of the Navy and the American people have been served 
well on his watch. The men and women of the United States Navy will not 
forget the leadership, service and dedication of Admiral Johnson as he 
has left the Navy better prepared to face the challenges and 
opportunities of the 21st century.
  We thank him and wish Jay, and his lovely wife Garland, fair winds 
and following seas as they continue forward in what will most assuredly 
remain lives of service to this Great Nation.

                          ____________________