Political Quotes

“On that list, Mr. President, appears the name of Admiral Johnson, who will take over as Chief of Naval Operations, succeeding Admiral Boorda, a man for whom all of us had the highest respect, a man in whom the Navy, from the lowest ranking enlisted sailors to the top flag officers, had confidence. In the wake of the tragedy concerning Admiral Boorda, it will be a challenge for Admiral Johnson to lead the Navy. But having gotten to know him, having talked to many, many naval officers who know him, both active and retired, I can say that he is regarded as the man best qualified in the U.S. Navy today to assume this role of leadership at this time in the Navy's history. Mr. President, I would like to read from a letter forwarded to me by a former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Trost. Admiral Trost once served with me in the Department of the Navy. He was my naval aide. He writes as follows: ``Admiral Johnson enjoys the confidence of his fellow flag officers who see him as the team leader who will lead them in successfully meeting the challenges which face our Navy now and in the future. He is the officer deemed best-suited to lead our superb Navy onward into the 21st century.'' May the new Chief have ``fair winds and following seas.'' I yield the floor, Mr. President.”