[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13899-13900]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL MIKE MULLEN

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to Mike Mullen 
who is retiring as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after 
more than 43 years of distinguished service to our country.
  Admiral Mullen began his rise in the Navy as a midshipman at the U.S. 
Naval Academy, where he became a proud graduate in 1968. Upon 
graduation, then Ensign Mullen reported aboard the USS Collett, 
deploying to the Western Pacific and participating in combat operations 
off the coast of Vietnam. Eventually, his career at sea would include 
serving aboard six other warships, including command of three, as well 
as command of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group and U.S. 
Second Fleet.
  He supplemented his systems engineering degree from Annapolis with a 
master of science degree in operations research from the Naval 
Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and a business degree from the 
advanced management program at Harvard.
  Ashore, he similarly distinguished himself with tours at the U.S. 
Naval Academy, the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the staff of the Chief of 
Naval Operations as well as in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
  With an already exemplary career of service at sea and ashore, 
Admiral Mullen became the Navy's 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations in 
2003. During the first half of 2005, he served as Commander of NATO's 
Joint Force Command Naples and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, 
leading the Alliance's peacekeeping operations in the

[[Page 13900]]

Balkans and its critical training mission in Iraq.
  In July of 2005, he became the top uniformed leader in the Navy as 
the 28th Chief of Naval Operations. With the Nation fighting two wars, 
he oversaw the service's efforts to man, train, and equip our Navy to 
fulfill its traditional missions at sea. Facing innovative and 
nontraditional enemies, Admiral Mullen conceived and championed the 
Navy's vital contribution to the fight on the ground in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.
  Dedicated to keeping the sea lanes free, deterring aggression, and 
maintaining our Nation's maritime superiority, he also led efforts to 
stabilize the Navy's shipbuilding program to support a 313-ship fleet.
  On October 1, 2007, Admiral Mullen assumed duties as the 17th 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Facing a myriad of challenges, 
and with ongoing conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan, he worked 
tirelessly with our Nation's leadership to oversee multiple, sustained 
joint military operations. Admiral Mullen's efforts played a vital role 
in disrupting terrorist networks, providing humanitarian assistance at 
home and abroad, and improving the security and stability in Iraq.
  Recognizing the danger of an Allied failure in Afghanistan, he became 
an early and vocal proponent of resourcing the war by expanding 
counterinsurgency capabilities and fostering closer ties with 
strategically vital Pakistan.
  Never forgetting that those who return from war often continue to 
bear scars--both seen and unseen--Admiral Mullen and his wife Deborah 
passionately represented the interests of the men and women returning 
from the battlefield. He initiated an unprecedented nationwide dialogue 
to advance awareness and support for the many issues facing our 
warriors, veterans, and their families.
  Many have recognized Admiral Mullen's dedication to service with a 
wide range of awards and decorations. But I know first hand that his 
truest reward is the satisfaction he must feel for a lifetime of 
service to a country he so deeply loves. Admiral Mullen's commitment to 
the Americans who have given so much will endure well beyond his days 
in uniform.
  I will add that Admiral Mullen's legacy will continue in another way 
after retirement. He and Deborah continue to proudly support their 
sons, John and Michael, as they pursue their own uniformed service in 
support of the world's greatest Navy.
  The U.S. Navy and our military will never forget the service of Mike 
Mullen, one of its most respected and valued leaders, who took the helm 
during a dynamic and uncertain time in our Nation's history. And none 
of us will ever forget how he led--with humility, a selfless devotion 
to others, and integrity.
  Please join me in recognizing and commending ADM Mike Mullen for a 
lifetime of service to his country and to wish him the best in his 
retirement. May God bless Mike and Deborah, and their family, for all 
they have given and continue to give our country. We remain in their 
debt.

                          ____________________