Statement of Honorable Donald C. Winter Secretary of the Navy Before the House Armed Services Committee

摘要

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, and Members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before you representing the brave men and women of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps active, reserve, and civilian over 800,000 strong. Over the past year, I have had many opportunities to meet with Sailors and Marines who are stationed both within the continental United States and abroad. I have traveled three times to the Central Command Area of Responsibility including Iraq. During my visits I have had countless conversations with our young Sailors and Marines. I am continually amazed at how dedicated and committed they are to carrying out their duties -- without question, without complaint. Our Sailors and Marines recognize the significance of their mission. They remain determined to win the current war and are committed to defending our Nation against future threats. They are the very best and they deserve the very best from their leadership in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill. Today, I am here to present the Department of the Navy's plan to support our Sailors and Marines in their mission to fight the Global War on Terror and to defend our Nation against future challenges. I believe the President s Fiscal Year 2008 budget request for the Navy and Marine Corps provides them what they need and I ask that you support this request submitted to Congress on February 5, 2007. The Department of the Navy s budget signifies a vital investment in our Navy and Marine Corps. In its totality, this budget represents $160 billion in requested funding for FY 2008, including the estimated costs of the Global War on Terror.