John Warner: “I urge you to look at the history of NATO, its success in curtailing the Cold War.”

Good luck to each and every one of you, and to the importance of the confirmation process.

You will carry with you for the rest of your life the recollections of the work that you have done for one of America's most valued assets, the men and the women and their families of the armed services of the United States.

I think that's a really significant answer since the question of readiness clearly one of the most strategically important issues you have to deal with.

This country is greatly strengthened by the will of such people to step forward and do, time and time again, public service.