[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 24 (Monday, June 18, 2007)]
[Pages 773-774]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Nomination of Admiral Michael G. Mullen To Be Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General James E. Cartwright To Be Vice 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

June 8, 2007

    General Peter Pace has served our Nation with great distinction for 
40 years. He is an outstanding marine, and he made history as the first 
marine to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
    As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Pete's job has been to help ensure 
that America's military forces are prepared to meet the threats of this 
new century. This is a difficult task in a time of peace. Pete Pace has 
done it in a time of war, and he has done it superbly. As part of our 
senior military leadership, Pete has helped oversee the liberation of 
more than 50 million people. I have relied on his unvarnished military 
judgment, and I value his candor, his integrity, and his friendship.
    Pete's life is the story of the American Dream. He grew up in an 
immigrant family, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and went on to 
hold the highest position in our Armed Forces. He is a man of character 
who leads by example. I thank his wife, Lynne, who knows from long 
experience that military service is a family commitment. I also thank 
his son, Peter, and his daughter, Tiffany. America has been blessed by 
Pete's lifetime of service. And I wish all the best for the Pace family 
as this good man begins a new chapter in his life.
    I am pleased to accept the recommendation of Secretary Gates that I 
nominate Admiral Michael Mullen to succeed General Pace. Admiral Mullen 
has performed ably as Chief of Naval Operations. He holds degrees from 
the U.S. Naval Academy, the Harvard Business School, and the Naval 
Postgraduate School. He has served ably in both the Atlantic and Pacific 
Fleets--as well as in both Allied and Joint Commands. And when he is 
confirmed by the United States Senate, he will make a superb Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Admiral Edmund Giambastiani has been a strong and effective Vice 
Chairman. He is an officer of vision and determination, and he has 
served at a time of unprecedented danger for America. His time in the 
Joint Chiefs capped an exemplary military career. As commander of the 
U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, he helped transform our Nation's 
military so it could better face the new threats of a new century. And 
he did the same for NATO while serving as its first Supreme Allied 
Commander, Transformation. The admiral is a highly decorated officer, 
but he is most proud of his unit awards and commendations because they 
represent team accomplishments. I thank his wife, Cindy, his daughter, 
Cathy, and his son, Pete, for the support they have provided. I salute 
Admiral G for his long career of distinguished service. He has earned 
the thanks of a grateful nation.

    I am also pleased to announce that I am accepting Secretary Gates's 
recommendation to nominate General James E. Cartwright as the new Vice 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Cartwright is a Marine 
Corps pilot who serves as commander, United States Strategic Command--
where he has done an outstanding job managing America's global strategic 
forces. In that role, he is responsible for the global command and 
control of U.S. Strategic Forces. He is an exceptional officer, and when 
he is confirmed by the Senate, he will be an outstanding Vice Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Note: In his statement, the President referred to Secretary of Defense 
Robert M. Gates. This item was not received in time for publication in 
the appropriate issue.

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