Political Quotes

“Indeed it did. We should also mention that the concept of the All-Volunteer Force originated under Secretaries Laird and Packard. We accept it today, and it has worked far beyond the expectations of any of us. But there was a lot of concern when we initiated that. Would we see a precipitous dropoff in the ability of the United States to attract quality young men and women to the uniformed services? They were the men that had the vision to give us the opportunity to prove it, and it has worked. And it has worked well. So the achievements of the Laird-Packard team were monumental and-- with the exception of the present company of the Senator and myself-- they were able to draw from all quarters of the United States the finest to come and serve in the Department of Defense in the three military departments. The introduction of greater responsibility for women in the military services indeed was during that period of time. They laid the foundation for the service academies being opened to women. As I remember, as I succeeded Senator Chafee, one of the last things on my watch was opening up Annapolis to women. And that has worked exceptionally well.”