Mike Conaway: “I, too, want to add my deep respect and gratitude to the outgoing chairman, Ike Skelton, a man that I have come to know…”

“I, too, want to add my deep respect and gratitude to the outgoing chairman, Ike Skelton, a man that I have come to know and love these 4 years under his tutelage in the chairmanship, and I wish him and his terrific wife, Patty, all the very best in the next chapter in their life. I also want to brag on the fact that the acquisition reform language made it into the final cut. A lot of work went into that from really good folks. I'm looking forward to being part of the monitoring system to make sure that it gets implemented properly. As a part of that, we're also anxious to continue to hold the Department of Defense and all of the various branches' feet to the fire with respect to auditable financial statements. As you know, the Department of Defense cannot audit its own books today. It is an important initiative. There are great folks in the Pentagon working hard. I'm looking forward to the next 2 years, being a part of that process that makes sure they continue to have the resources they need to get the audit work done so that the Department of Defense can tell the American people that they are, in fact, spending the money that we so preciously allot to them properly in the way to go. Again, let me add one last thank you to Ike Skelton for his tutelage and mentorship over the years on the committee. We're going to miss you, Ike, sir, and all the best and Godspeed in your next career.”