    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [January 10, 2000]
    [Page 24]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Resignation of Deputy Secretary of Defense
    John J. Hamre
    January 10, 2000

        Today Deputy Secretary of Defense John Hamre announced that he will
    step down from his position at the end of March. I want to express my
    deep gratitude to John for his outstanding service to America.
        Since becoming the Deputy Secretary in July 1997, John Hamre has
    been a respected, decisive, and forward-leaning leader. He directed
    implementation of the 1997 Quadrennial Defense Review and the Defense
    Reform Initiative. He put in place a wide range of innovative defense
    management initiatives and worked tirelessly on reforms of defense
    contracting. His impact in these areas will be felt long after his
    departure.
        Dr. Hamre also was a pivotal adviser as we ensured that the
    readiness challenges of our Armed Services are addressed with necessary
    resources. He was a driving force behind the increase in the defense
    budget and the increased benefits for military personnel that I signed
    into law last year. He also led Department of Defense efforts to ensure
    that their critical computer systems were not affected by Y2K problems.
        Although I will miss his advice as Deputy Secretary, I am pleased
    that the Nation will continue to benefit from his vast knowledge and
    experience in defense policy. I wish John Hamre all the best as he moves
    on to become president and chief executive officer of the Center for
    Strategic and International Studies.