NOMINATIONS OF HON. BERNARD D. ROSTKER TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS; GREGORY R. DAHLBERG TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE ARMY; AND MADELYN R. CREEDON TO BE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR DEFENSE PROGRAMS, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2000 COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, U.S. SENATE, Washington, DC. The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:37 a.m., in room SR222, Russell Senate Office Building, Senator John Warner (chairman) presiding. Committee members present: Senators Warner, Thurmond, Levin, Bingaman, Landrieu. Committee staff members present: Romie L. Brownlee, staff director; Judith A. Ansley, deputy staff director, and Scott W. Stucky, general counsel. Professional staff members present: Charles S. Abell, George W. Lauffer, Patricia L. Lewis, Paul M. Longsworth, and Cord A. Starling. Minority staff members present: David S. Lyles, staff director for the minority; Daniel J. Cox, Jr., professional staff member; Richard W. Fieldhouse, professional staff member; Creighton Greene, professional staff member; Gerald J. Leeling, minority counsel; and Peter K. Levine, professional staff member. Staff assistants present: Thomas G. Moore and Michele A. Traficante. Committee members' assistants present: George M. Bernier, III, assistant to Senator Santorum; Thomas A. Vecchiola, assistant to Senator Snowe; Robert Alan McCurry, assistant to Senator Roberts; Douglas Flanders, assistant to Senator Allard; Michael P. Ralsky, assistant to Senator Hutchinson; Menda S. Fife, assistant to Senator Kennedy; G. Wayne Glass, assistant to Senator Bingaman; William K. Sutey, assistant to Senator Robb; and Jason Matthews, assistant to Senator Landrieu. Committee members' fellows present: Samuel Lee Horton, fellow to Senator Snowe; Dana Krups, fellow to Senator Bingaman; John Coster, fellow to Senator Landrieu; and Jon M. Lauder, fellow to Senator Reed. OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOHN WARNER, CHAIRMAN Chairman WARNER. Senator Levin and I welcome our guests this morning, in particular our distinguished colleague and very, very good friend and working partner from the House of Representatives. The committee will now come to order and we meet today to receive testimony concerning three very key nominations. Mr. Bernard Rostker has been nominated to be Under Secretary for Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Mr. Gregory Dahlberg has been nominated to the Under Secretary of the Army, and Ms. Madelyn Creedon, a long time distinguished member of our staff, has been nominated to be Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration at the Department of Energy. We look forward to receiving testimony concerning your nominations. It is my anticipation that I will support all. I am pleased that the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy and the President has decided to recommend you for these important positions. Secretary Rostker, we are all familiar with your record of challenging assignments and accomplishments over your many years of service as the Director of the Selective Service, and in various capacities in the Department of Defense. You have served as assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and as Under Secretary of the Army. I look forward to working with you in your new position. I must ask, is there a precedent for that? Serving in those two military departments? Secretary ROSTKER. I think there should be. Chairman WARNER. I'm sitting here, kind of reading through this thing, and thinking, I went there in 1969 and have had a good deal of familiarity with the Department, and I can't recall. But I'll research that one. Mr. Dahlberg, you have an impressive record as well; you have been the staff director for the distinguished congressman from Pennsylvania on the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. Of course our own Ms. Creedon; you are well known to all of us on this committee and through lots of years of hard work have earned our respect. There are times when we haven't agreed, but the respect has always been the primary factor. You have been a member, as I say, under Senator Nunn's chairmanship, with brief departures for work with the BRAC Commission in the Department of Energy, and now with Senator Levin. Secretary Rostker, I understand your wife, Louise is present, and your son, David, and your daughter-in-law Heather are here with us today. Would you kindly introduce them? Secretary ROSTKER. That's my wife, Louise and my son, David, and I'm afraid my daughter-in-law wasn't able to make it. Chairman WARNER. Mr. Dahlberg, I understand that your wife Kathy is here today. Mr. DAHLBERG. Yes, Mr. Chairman. My wife Kathy, and I brought one of my four children; Jeffrey, who is an eighth grader who is skipping school to come over from George Washington Middle School in Alexandria. Chairman WARNER. He's the one who is smiling so much, then, right? [Laughter] Mr. DAHLBERG. Getting a little lesson in civics this morning. Chairman WARNER. Madelyn, I understand your husband, Jim Bracco; your son John, your mother Marilyn and your father Dick are with us today. I met them when I came in. Would you kindly ask them to stand and be recognized. Ms. CREEDON. My parents, Marilyn and Dick Creedon. My son, John, who is also happy to be here rather than taking a history test this morning. This is my husband, Jim Bracco. Chairman WARNER. Well, as I said, I remember this day very well myself many, many years ago. It's an important day in your lives, and we're delighted that members of your family could join. It will be long remembered. There will be a record of this hearing, and mine has grown yellow with age, but I still covet it and it's part of my library for my children some day, and grandchildren. Senator Levin, and then we'll hear from our distinguished colleague from the House. Senator LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, let me join you in welcoming our nominees and their families to the committee. All three of them are well-known to the committee. Greg Dahlberg has been nominated to be the next Under Secretary of the Army. We know that this nomination comes at a crucial time, as the Army endeavors to put its transformation plans into action. Mr. Dahlberg, as you indicated Mr. Chairman, has served the country and the Congress extraordinarily well as Minority Staff Director of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. He has worked for our wonderful colleague, Congressman Jack Murtha, who we also welcome here today. We wish Mr. Dahlberg well as he undertakes this new challenge. Bernie Rostker has become the utility infielder for the Department of Defense, filling in where he is most needed. You have gone through some of his background, Mr. Chairman, so I will not repeat that other than to say that he has devoted much of his career to Defense manpower issues. He is highly qualified for the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. That brings us to Ms. Creedon. Mr. Chairman, you indicated you don't always agree with her. I want you to know Madelyn is on my staff; and I don't always agree with her either. [Laughter] Madelyn has served her country, as well as this committee. She was Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy for National Security Programs; General Counsel for the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission; Counsel to this committee, and a trial attorney in the Department of Energy. After working with Madelyn for more than 8 years, I know firsthand her extraordinary understanding of the national security programs in the Department of Energy, and of her passionate commitment to the success of these programs and to the national security of the United States. Senator Lugar wanted to be here to introduce Madelyn at today's hearing, but was unable to be here because of a conflicting engagement. I just want to read two paragraphs, Mr. Chairman, from his letter to you and to me. Then, I would ask that the balance of it be put in the record. Chairman WARNER. Without objection. Senator LEVIN. Senator Lugar says "Mr. Chairman, I am a strong supporter of U.S. nonproliferation efforts in the former Soviet Union. These programs have continually garnered bipartisan support because of the outstanding efforts of dedicated Members of Congress and staff on both sides of the aisle. Madelyn's efforts in this area have made tremendous contributions to the successful implementation of these important programs. Her oversight and legislative analyses of these programs have improved our country's national security. I am confident that she will provide the same level of expertise and dedication, if confirmed as Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the Department of Energy. "It is," he says, "with great enthusiasm that I offer my strong support for Madelyn's nomination, and I am hopeful that members of the Armed Services Committee and the full Senate will concur." [The letter of Senator Lugar follows:] LETTER FROM SENATOR RICHARD G. LUGAR UNITED STATES SENATE, The HONORABLE JOHN WARNER, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate, Washington DC. DEAR JOHN: I understand the Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing tomorrow on Madelyn Creedon's nomination to be Deputy Administrator of Defense Programs at the Department of Energy. I was asked to introduce Madelyn at the hearing. Unfortunately, an Agriculture Committee hearing will prevent me from appearing in person. I have attached a letter that I would request that you read on my behalf. I have known Madelyn's family for many years and would like to express my strong support for her nomination. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance in this matter. Sincerely, RGL/kmk RICHARD G. LUGAR, The HON. JOHN WARNER, Chairman, The HON. CARL LEVIN, Ranking Member, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate, Washington DC. UNITED STATES SENATE, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN AND SENATOR LEVIN: I regret that I am unable to appear before your committee today to introduce a fellow Hoosier and offer my support for the nomination of Madelyn Creedon to the position of Deputy Administrator of Defense Programs at the Department of Energy. My responsibilities as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee have required my presence at an important oversight hearing. It is always a source of great pride to see Hoosiers making valuable contributions to our country's security. Madelyn has an outstanding record of service to the U.S. government. She has served with distinction as Associate Deputy Secretary for National Security Programs at the Department of Energy, as General Counsel for the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and here in the Senate as Minority Council of the Senate Armed Services Committee. It has been in the fulfillment of this last assignment that I have had the opportunity to observe and work with Madelyn. Mr. Chairman, I am a strong supporter of U.S. nonproliferation efforts in the former Soviet Union. These programs have continually garnered bipartisan support because of the outstanding efforts of dedicated Members of Congress and staff on both sides of the aisle. Madelyn's efforts in this area have made tremendous contributions to the successful implementation of these important programs. Her oversight and legislative analyses of these programs have improved our country's national security. I am confident that she will provide the same level of expertise and dedication if confirmed as Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the Department of Energy. It is with great enthusiasm that I offer my strong support for Madelyn's nomination, and I am hopeful that members of the Armed Services Committee and the full Senate will concur. Sincerely, RGL/kmk RICHARD G. LUGAR, Senator LEVIN. I cannot imagine, Mr. Chairman, any individual who would be better qualified to handle this responsibility. We are going to miss Madelyn on the committee, to put it mildly, but our country will gain when she assumes this greater responsibility. So, we have before us three very talented individuals who have all shown dedication to serving their country. I congratulate all of them, and like you, Mr. Chairman, welcome their families here today. We thank them for their service, look forward to their testimony and to continuing to work with each of them. Chairman WARNER. I notice also, Madelyn, that the bleacher seats are filled on both sides, which is not always the case at nomination hearings, since they are not issues of substance sometimes. I think that's a respect for you and your service on this committee staff for these many years; and also I would presume in their minds the thought that maybe some day they would be sitting where you are for a nomination proceeding. I would hope that that would be the case. Now, Mr. Murtha, you've worked with this committee many years, and we would not let this opportunity go by when we have you here to say how much America appreciates your service, beginning with service as a Marine. We have in our hearts today a deep sorrow for our Corps and its tragedy of recent, and we look forward to the opportunities of continuing to work with you for many years. You are a real force on national defense for the country. Thank you. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN P. MURTHA, REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM PENNSYLVANIA Mr. MURTHA. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Senator. I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of Greg Dahlberg, who has worked for the Appropriations Committee for 20 years, and worked in the Defense subcommittee for about 10 years. The Army has had a difficult time in their period of transformation. Since the wall came down, they have made some decisions that didn't always go right, and we've had a tough time funding some programs that didn't work out; and Greg Dahlberg has been in the forefront with his vision and focus, being able to get some of those programs under control. |