Capitol Hill Hearing - Transcript
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING
HEADLINE: PANEL ONE OF A HEARING OF THE SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: TRANSFORMING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PERSONNEL SYSTEM: FINDING THE RIGHT APPROACH
CHAIRED BY: SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME)
WITNESSES: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DONALD RUMSFELD; GENERAL RICHARD MYERS, CHAIR, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF; DAVID CHU, UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS; AND ADMIRAL VERN CLARK, CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS, U.S. NAVY
(THIS IS A PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT)
BODY:
SEN. COLLINS: Thank you, Senator.
Senator Durbin.
SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D-IL): Thank you, Madame Chair, for this hearing. And I thank the secretary and those who have gathered with him.
And Mr. Secretary, I don't know if you're aware that General Myers, I think, recently visited Chicago, if I'm not mistaken, was at the Memorial Day parade there. I'm sorry I couldn't join you, but I'm happy to have had you there.
GEN. MYERS: It was a great day. Thank you.
SEN. DURBIN: And for all who have gathered here today, I'm going to submit my statement for the record, in interest of giving you a chance to make your statement. But I do believe that what is at issue here at this hearing is fairly fundamental. We have to answer the following questions:
Is collective bargaining inconsistent with quality performance?
Is membership in a union inconsistent with pursuing the goals of national security?
Is our existing federal workforce incapable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century?
I think those are all fundamental questions. We debated some of them in the course of creating the Department of Homeland Security. We'll debate them again today. And I think those who view collective bargaining in a negative context see it as part of bureaucracy, featherbedding, a contentious work atmosphere.
But there are positive sides to this, which I think we must not overlook. It really does, in a way, give us a chance to create professional employees who are rewarded without fear of political retribution and unfair treatment by their superiors. It also dignifies work. It says to people, "You will have a voice in your destiny. You are not just a pawn to be moved on a board, taken off when necessary, put back on when necessary. You have a place. You have a voice." And I think that's what's at the heart of this debate.
I want to salute the chairman and Senator Levin and Senator Voinovich in particular, because he has, I guess, devoted more of his time as United States senator to professionalize the federal workforce than any one of us. I've been to many of those hearings. And George, you've led the way on this, and I'm glad that you're part of this conversation today.
Thank you for being here, Mr. Secretary.