[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16735]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL MULLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2011

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Admiral Mike 
Mullen, who retired last month as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff after more than 43 years of distinguished service to his 
country.
  Admiral Mullen grew up in San Fernando Valley portion of Los Angeles, 
in the district I have the privilege to represent.
  Last year, he graciously agreed to serve as Grand Marshall of the San 
Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade, for which I will always be 
grateful.
  A 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Admiral Mullen 
assumed his duties as chairman in 2007, the culmination of an 
extraordinary military career.
  Admiral Mullen's many accomplishments in the military are well known. 
I would like to focus on two initiatives he pursued as Chairman, which 
made direct contributions to our national security and demonstrated the 
strength of his character.
  First, Admiral Mullen recognized early on in his service as Chairman 
the critical and difficult relationship the United States has with 
Pakistan's military leaders, and he dedicated himself to serving as a 
conduit for that critical relationship.
  In many cases, effective diplomacy boils down to having someone with 
the tenacity and intellectual muscle to work a difficult issue, and 
Admiral Mullen more than proved his mettle in his dealings with 
Pakistan. I commend him for his efforts to keep the U.S.-Pakistan 
relationship on track.
  I also believe our nation owes Admiral Mullen a debt of gratitude for 
his stance in repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. Admiral Mullen called it 
like he saw it, an immeasurably critical quality, and our military is 
the better for it.
  Admiral Mullen was driven by the desire to advance the interests of 
America's fighting men and women. He accomplished this goal, many times 
over.
  I salute Admiral Mullen for his service, I pay tribute to his 
contribution, and I wish him all the best as he leaves the Navy.

                          ____________________