Senate Armed Services Committee Holds Hearing on Defense Department Nominations

FDCH TRANSCRIPTS
Congressional Hearings
Jan. 30, 2003
Senate Armed Services Committee Holds Hearing on Defense Department Nominations

REED:

Chairman Warner, Senator Levin, members of the committee, it's a real pleasure for me to introduce Christopher Ryan Henry as President Bush's nominee to become the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy.

Ryan Henry is an outstanding American and an ideal choice for this critical position. As has already been established and certainly I want the record to reflect that my son, Key (ph), had the good fortune to marry Ryan's daughter, Mylie (ph), several years ago.

When I say it was my son's good fortune, I really mean that. Ryan and his wife, Delonie (ph) are fine parents and their children are especially kind, warm and talented. I was very pleased and proud when the Reed and Henry families become connected through the marriage of our children and the birth of our grandchildren, Rylie O'Clayl (ph) and Ella Joy (ph). As has been indicated, Rylie (ph) is here.

I'd also like to welcome Ryan's mother, Mildred Henry (ph), who came all the way from San Diego to be here with her son. We're all sorry that Ryan's father Robert can't be here. He hasn't been feeling really well in recent weeks.

As a family, we are all very proud of Captain Henry. I know he will contribute enormously to the mission of the Defense Department during these difficult and dangerous times. As the president explained night before last, in the president's state of the union address, our country faces a wide array of national security threats both here and abroad.

Our policymakers within the defense community are facing some unprecedented challenges and problems, which there are no easy answers. But good people, with talent, vision and practical experience can help solve these problems.

I believe Ryan Henry is one such person. He is an honored graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He served more than 26 years as a Navy officer and aviator, earning numerous awards and performing tours in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf conflict. He has logged over 5,500 hours in air in 54 different aircraft and has made 750 carrier landings. His military service record is a clear demonstration of his bravery and his patriotism.

Mr. Chairman, I won't go through the list of commendations, awards and medals that he has received, but they are numerous. His achievements after retiring from the Navy have been equally impressive. I won't list all of his accomplishments, but would like to highlight his service as a senior fellow at the highly regarded Center for Strategic and International Studies and his outstanding record of performance as corporate vice president, Science Applications International Corporation, one of the world's largest and most prominent defense and technology companies.

Because, though, of his patriotism and his call to duty by our commander in chief, he is returning to serve in the United States military in a capacity that his qualifications certainly enable him to do. And even though he has had to give up a certainly a lucrative career in the private sector, it is very typical for people who have served in the military when they have a call to duty, they answer that call. Captain Henry is no different.

These tough and dangerous times confronting our nation require that we call upon the country's best, most capable citizens to serve. The president and this committee have found the best in Christopher Ryan Henry. I'd just like to mention in passing, as I already have, how proud I am of his daughter, Mylie (ph) who is the mother of two of my grandchildren.

REED:

But also I think it is worth noting that one of Captain Henry's daughters is now a member of the United States Navy, having graduated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and ROTC program and within a matter of a couple of weeks, she's headed for the Gulf to take up her position as a fire officer on a destroyer. This is what the family is all about, Mr. Chairman.

I know you'll give this nomination every consideration. I'm grateful and proud for having had this opportunity to introduce part of my family.