[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL CECIL D. HANEY

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize ADM Cecil D. 
Haney at the conclusion of his tenure as commander of U.S. Strategic 
Command and on his upcoming retirement from the U.S. Navy.
  Admiral Haney has been an exemplary officer, and he has been an 
outstanding leader. Over the course of his 38-year career in the Navy, 
he has made countless sacrifices for our country. I commend his service 
and the sacrifices of his family, including his wife Bonny, his 
daughter Elizabeth, and his two sons, Thomas and Joey. I express our 
great appreciation for his leadership and devotion to our Nation's 
security.
  I first met Admiral Haney in 2013, when he was nominated to succeed 
General Kehler as the commander of STRATCOM. Over the past 3 years, it 
has been my great pleasure to work with him, and I am grateful for his 
wise counsel and his firm resolve to always do what is best for our 
Nation and for the men and women he leads.
  Secretary Carter has pointed out on many occasions that our nuclear 
forces remain the bedrock of our Nation's security, and as the 
commander of U.S. Strategic Command, Admiral Haney spent the last 3 
years ensuring that this bedrock remained strong. Every day our Nation 
relies on its nuclear forces to deter strategic attack on the United 
States and our allies. Admiral Haney has ably led the forces that 
comprise our nuclear deterrent as they perform this highest priority 
mission.
  He has also been a strong advocate for the modernization of our aging 
nuclear infrastructure--no small task in a time of capped budgets. His 
ability to work closely with Members of Congress and his clear-eyed 
assessments--such as the statement he delivered to the Committee on 
Armed Services last year that ``there is no margin to absorb risk'' in 
our plans to modernize our nuclear enterprise--have helped maintain 
congressional consensus on the importance of following through with 
those modernization commitments.
  Admiral Haney has also shown strong leadership and provided valuable 
advocacy with respect to the other capabilities for which the command 
is responsible. For example, he led the effort to establish the Joint 
Interagency Combined Space Operations Center, which will become a 
crucial command and control node, ensuring our Nation has the ability 
to protect and defend critical national space infrastructure.
  Admiral Haney's selection as commander of the U.S. Strategic Command 
was a fitting capstone to a career of service that never strayed far 
from the nuclear mission. He began his career in 1978 as a 
distinguished graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. Rising quickly 
through the Navy, he went on to command the USS Honolulu, Submarine 
Squadron 1, Submarine Group 2, and to become the director of the 
Submarine Warfare Division and the Naval Warfare Integration Group. In 
2010, he became the deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command, after 
which he served as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
  In each role, Admiral Haney has set a strong example for those under 
his command by faithfully discharging his duties with professionalism 
and dedication.
  With nearly four decades of dedicated service to our Nation, Admiral 
Haney deserves our most heartfelt gratitude and praise. So I thank the 
admiral and wish him the best and also the best to his family.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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