[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6837]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           ROONEY NOMINATION

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, in March, I was compelled to place a hold 
on the nomination of Jo Ann Rooney to be Principal Deputy Under 
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, when I was not 
satisfied that the military had properly investigated the mistreatment 
of some members of the Oregon National Guard who were demobilizing at 
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, JBLM.
  I am pleased to say that today I am lifting that hold.
  I have had meetings and exchanged letters with Secretary of the Army 
John McHugh, Army Vice Chief of Staff General Peter Chiarelli, Major 
General Philip Volpe, Jo Ann Rooney, and Dr. Clifford Stanley, who will 
be Dr. Rooney's supervisor if she is confirmed. I have also received 
several documents related to the investigations, and written answers to 
more than 60 questions about the investigations.
  I am satisfied that the actions taken by the Army put them on the 
right path to ensuring that future National Guard soldiers receive all 
of the care and benefits to which they are entitled.
  I will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the changes 
the Army is making. However, I believe that Dr. Rooney would, if 
confirmed, work to ensure that all servicemembers get appropriate 
medical care, and improve the demobilization process.
  I would urge the Senate to quickly and positively act on Dr. Rooney's 
nomination.

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