![handle is hein.cbhear/cbhearings0899 and id is 1 raw text is: [H.A.S.C. No. 93-1]
-FINAL REPORT TO THE CONGRESS OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
HON. MELVIN R. LAIRD BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED
SERVICES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COM3ITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES,
Washington, D.C., January 8,1973.
The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:08 a.m., in room 2118,
Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. F. Edward H6bert (chairman)
presiding.
The CHAIRMAN. The assembled group of the Members of the 92d
Congress who were members of this Armed Services Committee and
who have been invited here today, will be in order.
This morning we will have the distinct privilege of once again
hearing from our distinguished Secretary of Defense and former col-
league, the Honorable Melvin Laird. Unfortunately our former col-
league and Secretary will soon be leaving the Department. I can ap-
preciate his desire to leave after 4 long arduous years. However, we
will miss him.
This is no funeral oration, Mr. Secretary, but we will miss you in-
deed. We will also miss your advice and counsel.
At this point it may be well to read into the record correspondence
which I had with the Secretary, which led to this morning's meeting.
The correspondence speaks for itself, and I will ask Mr. Slatinshek to
read that letter.
Mr. SLATINSEK. The correspondence dated November 29, 1972, to
the Honorable Melvin R. Laird, Secretary of Defense, Department of
Defense, Washington, D.C.
Dear Mel: Allow me to express my profound personal regret at
the news that you are leaving the office of Secretary of Defense, an
office that you have filled with equanimity- and distinction for 4 trying
years.
Plutarch said, 'Authority and place demonstrate and try the tem-
pers of men, by moving every passion and discovering every frailty.'
You have shown, through both long years of outstanding congres-
sional service and in your difficult stewardship of the Defense Depart-
ment, the temper and wisdom that great achievements require.
I congratulate you on the quality of your public service and extend
to you my every good wish for the future.
You have had a unique opportunity to observe the functioning of
the Defense Department from the congressional perspective and from
the vantage point of the highest office in our Military Establishment.
In view of this singular experience, I know that the members of the
committee would be particularly indebted to you if they could receive
your observations on the Department at this critical stage in the de-
velopment of our national security posture.
83-066-73-No. 1-1](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.cbhear/cbhearings0899&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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