Date: 1982-01-28
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have been increasingly concerned over reports that Adm. Hyman Rickover. who is the father of the American nuclearpowered Navy. and whose record in building the nuclear Navy qualifies him as one of Americas genuine heroes. is not being given an opportunity to continue to serve the Nation In a useful capacity. I am surprised and dismayed to learn of this situation. because I had been led to believe that such an offer by the Navy was being made to Admiral Rickover. President Reagan stated in his news conference last week that the admiral was not interested In a job as a White House adviser. but that the Navy would attempt to continue to use his services. President Reagan stated that: Hes not interested in being just a White House adviser. and I do know that the Naral offer was one in which they truly believed that he had great service to still render. and that he would have an office in the Secretary of the Navy. and a staff. and that he would be there where he could make a great contribution. Now I dont know what his decision has been on that. I would hope that he would accept that. because he could be of service to this country. But. Mr. President. the Navy has not made him any such offer. The only thing the Navy has offered to Admiral Rickover is an office for 3 to 6 months in order to wrap up his affairs. Admiral Rickover is not ready to wrap up his affairs. Although he Is 81 years old. he still puts in 11- and 12hour days. and 7day weeks. He is deeply involved in exciting new research on advanced nuclear reactors to Improve our Navys readiness and endurance. For instance. he is currently hard at work in the design of a reactor which never needs to be refueled during the lifetime of the ship. Today the Navys reactor cores must periodically be refueled. which Involves substantial downtime for the ships. The Admiral was given a clean bill of health by Navy medical authorities just last month. So far as I am aware. it has never been the case that he has not performed in the highest traditions of selfless and talented service to the Nation. He has been. in fact. a thorn in the side of some Navy contractors when he believed that their work was less than satisfactory. and when they were overcharging the Nation for their work. I regard this fiscal watchfulness as an asset to the Nation. at a time when the spiraling costs of all weapons systems eat up more and more of our defense budget. The contractors are not happy with Admiral Rickover. That is good. It would make me uneasy if they were. But their unhappiness. is not a reason to take him off the job. It is an excellent reason to keep him in the program. I am not suggesting that the Admiral necessarily be kept in his current position. But I find it hard to believe that he can make a great contribution. as the President said. by removing him from useful responsibilities altogether. The sad truth is. Mr. President. that we are treating one of Americas greatest living heroes in a disgraceful. shabby. way. We have been led to believe that he was being offered a job whereby the Navy could continue to use his talents. talents which he desires to offer the country. Such an offer has not been made. Admiral Rickover does not quite understand it. I do not quite understand it. I have written today to the Secretary of Defense for an explanation of the situation. But time is short. The Admirals current appointment ends this Saturday. He will be left with virtually no opportunity to serve. Surely he deserves better than this. America deserves better than this.