Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Durbin].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Clement].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Latham].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Crane].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we have spoken a great deal about our friend Bill Emerson this afternoon. I would be remiss if I did not say a word or two about loyalty, loyalty to those about him and those about him were extremely loyal to him. At this time I would like to say a word of thanks to the D.C. staff and to the district staff of the late Bill Emerson for the wonderful work that they did for him to help him serve the people of Missouri: Tricia Schade, David LaVallee, Julie Pickett, Pete Jeffries, Glenn Kelly, Lisa Johnson, Julia Kertz, Seaver Sowers, Neil Moseman, Jess Sharp. Those are the ones who composed the staff here in the Rayburn Building. In the district: Lloyd Smith, Kacky Garner, Pat Pecuat, Greg Branum, Carol Goldsmith, Alan Heath, Mike Chitwood, Iris Bernhardt, and Carlene May. Each of these staff members served so ably and so well. And on behalf of all of us, we thank them. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Whitfield].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Kingston].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Kasich].

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman who just spoke. We cannot cut this defense budget anymore. It is interesting in all this debate, not much has been said about the soldier. The first place that you cut, the easiest place that you cut is from the soldier, himself or herself from those who are on the high seas, who keep the airplanes flying. We should not forget those because they are the first to be cut in an event of a cut such as this amendment would provide.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise with an amendment to modify the funding priorities of the bill for missile defense programs. It is my intention to explain this and to discuss it briefly with the chairman of this subcommittee, Mr. Young, and then it is my intention to withdraw it. But I wish I could explain it at this time. The bill before us contains $350 million increase for national missile defense research and development but eliminates funding for the only emerging technology aimed at protecting our front line troops throughout the world. The program formerly named CORPS SAM and now called Medium Extended Air Defense Systems, or MEADS, is a joint research and development program with Germany and Italy. The administration's budget request included $56 million, but this bill includes no funding, no funding. My amendment recommends restoring $46 million to MEADS from the National Missile Defense Account. Our forward deployed military personnel face a critical and growing threat from the air. Today short range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles threaten American soldiers, front line American soldiers. Tomorrow this threat will certainly be greater. We live in a dangerous world. Our troops were vulnerable to missile attack in Desert Storm, and further proliferation of dangerous weapons will certainly increase the threat tomorrow. I am concerned because no other program, Mr. Chairman, no other program promises to protect our forward deployed troops as shown by a chart that I have available. I might say that, on behalf of our soldiers and our marines, three of our regional commanders have written about the requirements for MEADS: Generals Luck, Peay, and Joulwan. Mr. Chairman, I include for the Record the following correspondence: Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Washington, DC, May 1, 1996. Hon. Floyd Spence, Chairman, House National Security Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Army understands that the House National Security Committee (HNSC) Research & Development Subcommittee will recommend during full committee markup that Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) funding be cut. This action is apparently based on concerns surrounding technical, fiscal, and cooperative issues surrounding this international effort. These misconceptions place this program in severe jeopardy and place our future deployed forces at risk. The MEADS effort was undertaken to explore a cost effective international solution to the need for defense of maneuver forces against the full threat spectrum to include aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), cruise missiles (CM), and theater ballistic missiles (TBM). This need was reemphasized both last summer in a series of Senior Department level and CINC letters to Congress and in DoD's recently completed Ballistic Missile Defense Review which fully funded the programs' Project Definition and Validation (PD-V) Phase. Despite the potential French withdrawal from the program, the urgent need to provide maneuver force protection still exists. The United States, Germany, and Italy recently committed to continue the international program, as demonstrated by their 22 April 1996 trilateral Statement of Intent. The Army enthusiastically supports pursuit of this international program with our NATO allies including Germany, one of our strongest and most stable air defense partners. The lack of demonstrated U.S. financial resolve will undoubtedly send a perplexing signal to this international industrial and governmental partnership. MEADS is recognized as a vital defense system for the challenge of force protection on the 21st century battlefield. The Army views a system like MEADS as the eventual long term replacement for the Patriot system as the Army's lower tier TBM defense in the post 2010 time frame. The current investment in the PD-V phase will ensure that Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors of the future will be protected on the battlefield by a robust system capable of responding to the full spectrum of threat. Request your support for this critical Department of Defense Army air and missile defense program. Respectfully, Edward G. Anderson III, Major General, U.S. Army.

Mr. SKELTON. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. SKELTON. I appreciate that. This is terribly important. In all of this discussion about missile defense, no one seems to be looking out for the front-line American troops. That is the purpose of this MEADS proposal. Mr. Chairman, with the gentleman agreeing to work with me and looking forward to the future in the conference, I will at this time ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, the retirement of Lt. Gen. Howard D. Graves, 54th Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point is announced with deep appreciation for and pride in his distinguished career of more than 35 years. Lieutenant General Graves has concluded his career by making important contributions in the arena of strategic defense of the Nation as well as in the all-important area of developing military leaders for the next century. His outstanding leadership, his wisdom, his clear vision for the future, and his strength of character, all contributed to General Graves exceptional impact on the American profession of arms. His creativity and enthusiasm supported an outstanding performance of duty throughout a career that reflects the highest traditions of the U.S. Army. Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers upon graduation from the Military Academy in 1961, he began a career that took him through numerous and challenging command, staff, and academic positions, culminating in his assignment as Superintendent of the Military Academy. Those assignments have included overseas tours of duty in the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Germany; plus several tours of duty in Washington, DC. They have been among the most demanding positions in the U.S. Army, and his performance has been uniformly exceptional, representing the finest of the commissioned officer corps. Selected as a Rhodes Scholar while at the Military Academy, General Graves earned a master of arts degree in international relations from St. Johns College, Oxford University in 1994. During his first active Army assignment, he commanded Company A, 307th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division in 1965 to 1966, for which he was cited for his professionalism and leadership during ground combat against an armed enemy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. His successful command led to selection as operations officer and later Assistant Chief of Staff of the 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC, from 1966 to 1967. General Graves was chosen to return to Oxford University in 1968, where he began work on a master of literature degree in modern history. Subsequently, he was assigned as operations officer of the 8th Engineer Battalion (Airmobile), and later assistant division engineer, 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Vietnam. While in that combat environment, General Graves was cited for his exemplary professionalism and initiative, and his professional competence and outstanding achievement. Subsequently, General Graves was selected to attend the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, and was next assigned to the faculty of the U.S. Military Academy from 1970 to 1973, working as associate professor, executive officer, and assistant professor of the Department of Social Sciences. Demonstrating his extraordinary ability, General Graves was assigned to Washington, DC., as Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from June 1974 to November 1975. During that period he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and selected to command the 54th Engineer Battalion, V Corps, U.S. Army Europe from 1976 to 1978, earning praise for making that battalion the best in the 130th Engineer Brigade. Following battalion command, he attended the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, and continued serving as special assistant to the deputy commandant of the War College. From February 1980 until June 1982, General Graves commanded the 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC. Then, from July 1982 to July 1983, he served as assistant division commander (Support), 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS. In July 1983 he became Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort McPherson, GA until July 1984. Promoted to brigadier general, he was assigned to Washington, DC, in July 1984 in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, where he served as Deputy Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, with additional duty as Assistant Army Operations Deputy, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cited for his significant contributions on critical and sensitive issues of national security policy, national military strategy, and Army plans and policies, he demonstrated totally selfless service and his complete dedication. General Graves exceptional ability led to his selection as Vice Director of the Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he served from August 1986 to October 1987. He was promoted to major general and assigned as Commandant, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, in 1987. While there, he contributed to the Army and the Nation by initiating important improvements in the curriculum and by developing and mentoring the Army's senior leaders. In July 1989, General Graves was promoted to lieutenant general and named Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In that position he was principal advisor to the chairman and served the Nation in the highest level diplomatic negotiations before, during, and after Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, working closely with the Secretary of State. He was recognized by all who worked with him for his loyalty, leadership, personal integrity, and professional competence. As a result of a career of exceptional service to the Army and the Nation, he was selected to be Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an assignment that has demanded gifted leadership, intellect, and character. With his guidance, the Military Academy staff continued to develop and improve its performance, while General Graves has been instrumental in influencing critical support from and promoting positive relationships with West Point's diverse constituencies, including Congressional and Department of Defense leadership, outside organizations, graduates and friends of the Academy, and parents of cadets. His success in achieving economies and efficiencies, particularly in moving forward the multimillion dollar revitalization projects so critical to the future of the facilities master plan, has helped to ensure the continuation of the Academy's role as the world's premier leader development institution. His energetic, personable, and cooperative approach has created a spirit of trust, reflecting his belief in honor and consideration of others as bedrock leader values. Lt. Gen. Howard D. Graves is dedicated to excellence and service to America in the profession of arms. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has truly personified the excellence, spirit, and dedication of the soldier-scholar. His faithful service, integrity, firm commitment, and outstanding contributions to our Army and the Nation are a legacy of great value. Lieutenant General Graves' many friends and fellow soldiers join together in wishing him peace, happiness, and continued success in all his future endeavors.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on May 11, 1996, Maj. Gen. Randolph W. House gave the commissioning ceremony speech at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO. His impressive address should be preserved, and I include herewith a condensed version. Major General House was the brigade commander of the Blackhawk brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, which received the Valorous Unit Award in the Persian Gulf conflict as a result of the deception attack into Iraq on February 20, 1991. Maj. Gen. Randolph W. House, Wentworth Military Academy Commissioning Ceremony I'd like to begin my remarks by emphasizing that it is indeed an honor and privilege to address you here today as you embark on the next phase of your military career. What a sharp looking group of new lieutenants and cadets you are. I'll try to keep that keen, sharp look in your eyes by keeping these remarks brief and to the point. It is great to be here in historic Lexington, Missouri, the scene of the famous ``Battle of the Hemp Bales'' in 1861. It is a humbling experience to walk the ground where brave soldiers struggled and were willing to die for what they believed in. President Harry Truman said time and again that a nation that forgot its own history was in trouble, and he added, ``The only thing new under the sun is the history you haven't learned yet.'' I appreciate the opportunity to come to a school where our nation's great military heritage walks hand-in-hand with the present and future. And today history is being made as Wentworth commissions its first four female cadets as second lieutenants. That's historic. That's outstanding. Congratulations to each of you. Soon you will be platoon leaders in charge of America's soldiers. General Reimer, the Chief of Staff of our Army, tells an account of a group of captured German soldiers during WWII asking their American captors for their credentials before they would surrender. The American officer, pointing to the American soldiers present, said: ``These are our credentials.'' Today this still holds true. Soldiers are our credentials. I charge you today to go forth and lead them every day with this in mind. Now, you don't have to believe everything I say here today but, you better believe that I believe it. I'm going to give you my best shot from my foxhole. Each of you stands on the threshold of a great adventure. Your career in the Army is not a destination but rather a terrific journey. As you will soon find out, military service is much more than just a job. It is a calling, a way of life. General Douglas MacArthur once said, it is a calling that can be summed up in three words, ``Duty, honor and country.'' There can be no doubt that it takes a special breed of men and women to lead today's soldiers. It is vitally important that these leaders remain focused on the reason our army exists . . . to fight and win our nation's wars. If we can do that, everything else we are asked to do such as fighting forest fires, peacekeeping, humanitarian relief missions and drug suppression missions, is easy. I believe the ability to fight and win our nation's wars, rests on three pillars: discipline, competence and leadership. At Fort Riley I have four expectations of leaders: First: Accomplish all missions to best of abilities and to agreed upon standards. Second: Genuine compassion for soldiers. Third: Develop next generation's leaders. Fourth: Where ever you are assigned leave that place better than you found it. As I said a few moments ago, each of you stand on the edge of a truly great adventure and I envy you for that. Soon you will be entrusted with the greatest treasure our nation has to offer, her sons and daughters. Do not take that charge lightly. Always remain focused on the real reason we are here serving as the sword and shield of our great republic--to defend our nation--to fight and win our nation's wars. When you focus on that one goal, and let yourself be guided by discipline, competence and leadership, it will get you where you want to go. It will help you march a little farther, carry a little heavier load, and be willing to step into the unknown with the confidence that you can accomplish the mission. Good luck, God speed, thank you for letting me speak to you on this important day, and I'll meet you on the high ground.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, Tuesday, May 21, 1996, a memorial service was held for the late Adm. J.M. Boorda at the Washington National Cathedral. Admiral ``Mike'' Boorda was not only a ``sailors' sailor,'' but an able leader and a friend to so many in all walks of life, including those in uniform, political leaders, and the civilian community. Words are inadequate to express the sense of loss so many of us feel. However, these memorial addresses by Secretary of the Navy, John H. Dalton, and Master Chief PO, John Hagan, were most appropriate and fitting as tributes to this truly outstanding American, Adm. Mike Boorda. He will truly be missed. Remarks of Secretary of the Navy, John H. Dalton I met Mike Boorda in December of '93 on my first visit as Secretary to the Mediterranean and Adriatic. He was Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, and Commander of Allied Forces Southern Europe. We visited a number of ships together going by helicopter spending a couple of hours on each one. We arrived on the USS Monterey, a guided missile cruiser, late in the day to remain over night. As we toured the ship and we got to the bridge, he told the commanding officer he would like to do a man overboard drill. Naturally, the skipper said okay. Admiral Boorda yelled, ``I've got the conn''. So, he became the conning officer and he also relieved the helmsman. they tossed the life ring overboard on the starboard side and the drill was underway. ``All head full'' he barked, and he turned the helm to right full. He was back and forth between the helm and the flying bridge barking orders to the Sailor manning the engine order telegraph. Within just a couple of minutes, the life ring was right along the starboard side, close enough to reach out and pick it up. He said, ``Okay, Mr. Secretary, you're next.'' I laughed and said, ``No thank you; I've just seen the master at work.'' What a great ship handler he was; just one of the reasons he was so admired by Sailors. Walking around those ships with Mike Boorda was such a great experience. Sailors loved him. He understood them--all of them. Mess cooks, lookouts, from the newly enlisted to the most senior, whether they were chipping paint or swabbing decks . . . he made every one of them feel important, and that what they were doing was a major contribution to that ship's mission and making our navy great and contributing to peace in the world. Recently, I was interviewing a newly selected admiral for a particular job, and I asked him which flag officer he admired the most. Without hesitation, he said, ``Admiral Mike Boorda''. I said, ``Why?'' He said, ``I worked for him when he was battle group commander, and he always made people feel so good about themselves. He told us that whenever we were asked to do something, we needed to try hard to find a way to say yes.'' That was Mike Boorda. I've seen Mike in lots of different settings. I've seen him counsel young petty officers. I've sat with him in the chiefs' mess--or goat locker--discussing issues with chief petty officers. I've been with him in the wardroom with commissioned officers. I've seen him debate tough issues with other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior Pentagon officials. I've testified with him in front of Congress. I've seen him hosting foreign dignitaries from around the world. I met with him almost daily in my office, his office or some conference room in the Pentagon. I've watched him brief the Secretary of Defense and offer advice to the President of the United States. In whatever situation I observed Mike, he was always the same person: Well prepared, down to earth, competent, charming, witty, clever, understanding, warm, yet tough. I've also seen the President take his advice. I remember one particular occasion. We were in Hawaii for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII, and the President, CNO, and I were on the CINCPAC barge going across Pearl Habor to the Arizona Memorial when the President turned to him and said, ``Mike, what do you think we should do in Bosnia now?'' Mike told the President, and within just a few weeks we were in fact carrying out his recommendations which ended up in having all the parties meet in Dayton for peace talks . . . and giving us a real chance for peace in Bosnia. John Walter Wayland describes the true gentleman as ``the man whose conduct proceeds from good-will and an acute sense of propriety, who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; and who speaks with frankness, but always with sincerity and sympathy, and whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than of his own; who appears well in any company, and who is at home when he seems to be abroad--a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.'' That is Mike Boorda. He was the Sailor's Sailor. There is no greater tribute that could be paid to him. For him to be remembered by that title is the most he could ever hope for. Mike loved his family. His late father--who he either called or wrote every week for 40 years--his mother, brother and sister. His precious wife, Bettie, his four children and oh those grandchildren. So often, I remember his coming in and saying, ``Mr. Secretary, let me show you these new pictures I just got.'' They were always of one of his grandchildren. Many times from this lectern have the words of the Prophet Micah been read: ``O, man, what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.'' He tried to do just that. Mike Boorda was a patriot, a leader, a war-fighter and a peace maker... a planner, a superb tactician and brilliant strategist, a warm, caring sailor who loved those men and women wearing that Navy uniform. That's the Mike Boorda I will always remember. A man with a heart of gold and hands wrapped firmly round the true meaning of our effort to make the world a better, safer place. I am lucky to have known him, and I am thankful for his friendship and support. We have lost someone truly special. God bless his life, his wonderful family and his Navy that he loved so dearly.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I will not take the full amount of time. But after looking at this, first I want to say, Mr. Chairman, I take a back seat to no one when it comes to a strong national defense. I also point out that the two Senators, the one from Georgia and the one from Indiana, who are the authors of the program, the Nunn-Lugar program, are also in the category of standing for a strong national defense. What this program has done successfully is to reduce the nuclear threat, the nuclear warheads in the former Soviet Union. I find myself in agreement so many times with my friend from New York. I find myself in agreement with the goals that he has set forth. But to require the President to certify things that are absolutely impossible for him to certify would gut the Nunn-Lugar program. I think that is a dangerous thing for the United States of America to do. I find myself constrained to disagree with my friend from New York and to oppose this amendment. Though I am sure well-intentioned, it would have the unintended consequences of harming the security of the United States.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I speak against this amendment. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is a military medical school. It is one that specializes and prepares doctors, young men and young women, to stay in the military and to serve those who are injured on the battlefield and to serve their families in time of peace. I think it would be a sad mistake to terminate this medical school. If my colleagues want a professional medical program, if my colleagues want people to stay the minimum of 18 to 20 years, keep this medical school. If we want the very best for those men and women, if we want the very best for their families, we must keep this medical school because those who go through the scholarship program are less apt to stay in and make a career of it. This is a career training ground, educational ground, for those who wish to serve their Nation as a full- time doctor.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, for our men and women in uniform, I ask for support of this authorization bill. For our soldiers in the U.S. Army in places like Sinai, Ecuador, Peru, South Korea, Haiti, and the Balkans, I ask for support of increased spending for equipment and maintenance accounts. For our sailors and Marines off the coast of Liberia and places such as the Arabian Gulf Coast, East China Sea, and the Adriatic, I ask for support of increased pay and benefits. For U.S. Air Force airmen, 81,000 of whom are deployed abroad and 9,300 are on temporary duty, I ask for support to improve operations and eliminate fatigue. For the talented and highly specialized men and women of our Special Operations Forces currently deployed in over 60 nations, some in excess of 200 days during the past year, I ask for support of the modernization priorities contained in this bill. If we must talk about quality of life, let us speak of providing the most capable and modern equipment available as we ask our troops to go into harm's way. For the past 2 years I have testified before the Committee on the Budget in favor of increased defense spending. This year, while readiness and quality of life remains pressing issues, I feel the lack of military modernization has reached a critical level. Our subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from California, Duncan Hunter, has worked hard to correct this modernization problem. I have enjoyed working as ranking member of that subcommittee. Let me commend the chairman, the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spence], for his leadership in writing legislation to address this trend. This bill, with almost $13 billion in new spending, is a step in the right direction. Let me also point out that the ranking member, the gentleman from California, Ron Dellums, has shown again his unwavering commitment to caring for our troops. I thank him for that. Mr. Speaker, I fear we have reached the danger point, the point of breaking our forces with high operational tempo rates. The Army's pace of operations has increased 300 percent, with over 25 deployments in the past 6 years. Gen. George Joulwan has noted that his European command has experienced the highest tempo rate in its history. The Air Force has averaged 3 to 4 times the level of overseas deployment as during the cold war. Air crews abroad AWAC's, JSTARS, and EF-111's are in especially high demand. Naval and marine personnel are abroad so often that back-to-back temporary assignments away from home are no longer uncommon. Our carrier battle groups, intent on providing deterrence with continued presence, are straining to guard against aggressive acts throughout the world's oceans. Members of our special forces, trained in specialties such as language, carpentry, electricity, and cultural affairs, have been the first to answer our Nation's call in Bosnia, Haiti, and Liberia. Although few in number, together they are great in influence, deploying in adverse conditions, day or night, and often assisting local officials with tasks traditionally nonmilitary in nature. As I ask my colleagues for support for the priorities in this bill, I also ask for support for improvements. I would have preferred language to continue research and development of the CORPS SAM/MEADS theater missile defense system, the only system designed to protect our frontline highly mobile troops from missile attack. This threat is upon our troops today, and threatened our troops during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. I am disappointed, Mr. Chairman, sorely disappointed, that the Committee on Rules did not allow my amendment in order to address this and look to conference for improvement. Mr. Chairman, from the Bosnian theater, Maj. Gen. Bill Nash recently said, ``The number one thing we've used so far that has allowed us to enforce the peace is a weapons system called the American soldier.'' On behalf of that soldier, I ask for support of this bill, and I ask for continued commitment to this excellent weapons system as we move to conference with the Senate.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this important issue of Army Reserve. Title XII of H.R. 3230, the reserve forces revitalization, is intended to set forth the administrative and organizational structure of our Nation's reserve forces. This provision was not contained in the chairman's original mark but was included following a spirited debate on the issue. Several subcommittee members and I remain particularly concerned about the language that would change the command structure of the Army Reserve. The U.S. Army Reserve Command is responsible for providing well trained and equipped soldiers to augment active duty forces during times of conflict. Currently the Army Reserve Command reports to the Chief of Staff to the Army through the Army's Forces Command. Since Forces Command is the provider of ground forces to the war-fighting Commanders-in-Chief, this relationship seems both appropriate and beneficial. The adopted provision would alter this command organization by making the United States Army Reserve Command a wholly separate command and have the Reserve commander report directly to the Chief of Staff. Under this structure the U.S. Army Reserve Command would have to advocate for needed resources without the benefit of the commanding general of Forces Command, an influential four-star general. Mr. Chairman, I am concerned with this change on two accounts. First, the current command relationship is operating well and making good progress towards addressing noted weaknesses. While it is true that in the past, Reserve forces seem to be last in line to receive needed resources, significant changes have been made which make restructuring unnecessary at this time. In the words of the current Chief of Staff of the Army Reserve, Maj. Gen. Max Barantz, from a letter addressed to me on May 3, 1996: ``Because 100 percent of the Army Reserve line units and 92 percent of the support units are utilized in the CINCs' current war-fighting plans, I believe it is a good idea between peacetime and war to work directly for the people one will fight with. We have been under this system for 4 years and our readiness has increased during this time as a direct result of this command relationship. Second, in the Military Personnel Subcommittee markup, I offered language which would allow the Army's leadership to determine whether or not to restructure. This seemed a better approach than to mandate what is essentially a military decision.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Rear Adm. Bob Moore, Supply Corps, U.S. Navy, as he prepares to retire upon completion of over 35 years of faithful service to our Nation. A native of San Antonio, TX, Rear Admiral Moore received a bachelors degree from the University of Texas. Subsequently, he earned a master in business administration degree from Harvard University. Commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1961, Admiral Moore was immediately detailed to an afloat billet where he served as supply officer on board the destroyer Hyman. Following his tour on Hyman, Admiral Moore was assigned as an instructor at the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, GA. In this important position, he was entrusted with training the supply corps officers of the future. After completing his stint as a teacher, Admiral Moore was selected for duty in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. This is a competitive program with only the very best supply corps officers being selected for this prestigious duty. After his initial tour with the Navy Nuclear Program in Washington, DC, Admiral Moore was assigned as the program's contracting officer at the General Electric facility in Schenectady, NY. Moving from Schenectady in 1971, Admiral Moore was assigned to the Navy Ships Parts Control Center in Mechanicsburg, PA, as director of the Nuclear Equipment Support Division. Following this tour, he was again assigned to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. All good sailors long to return to sea duty and Admiral Moore was no exception. Following his assignment in the Nuclear Propulsion Program he was detailed as supply officer of the submarine tender U.S.S. Holland stationed in Holy Loch, Scotland. Admiral Moore then returned to Washington, where he served on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff and followed that tour with one at the Navy Accounting and Finance Center where he was the vice commander. Bob then returned to Mechanicsburg, PA, as he assumed command of the Navy Fleet Material Support Office. While serving at the Fleet Material Support Office Admiral Moore's sustained distinguished service was reflected in his selection to flag rank. His first flag tour was as competition advocate general of the Navy and he followed that with an assignment at the Navy Supply Systems Command as assistant commander for inventory and systems integrity. He was named to head the Naval Information Systems Management Center in 1991 and following that tour was nominated and selected to be the 38th chief of the Navy Supply Corps and commander, Navy Supply Systems Command in 1993. While serving as commander of the Navy Supply Systems Command, Admiral Moore has been instrumental in the streamlining and reorganization of the command that has led to the savings of millions of the taxpayers' dollars while at the same time improving support to deployed Navy ships. His innovative leadership has been a model for all of the service logistics commands and has superbly postured the command for the 21st century. A man of Bob Moore's stature and vision is rare indeed. While his distinguished service will be genuinely missed, it gives me great pleasure to recognize him before my colleagues, and to wish him ``fair winds and following seas,'' as he brings to a close a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Navy.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?