March 6, 1968
Page 5464
THE RETIREMENTS OF SECRETARY JOHN W. GARDNER AND SECRETARY ROBERT S. MCNAMARA
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, during the first 2 months of this year, two exceptional Americans left the Cabinet: Secretary John W. Gardner, of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and Secretary Robert S. McNamara, of the Department of Defense. Both demonstrated extraordinary leadership, and a dedication to public service that earned the gratitude of our Nation.
Secretary Gardner brought capabilities of the highest order to the administration of the wide-ranging programs which have been his responsibility. His departure is a distinct loss to those programs and to the people they serve. I shall personally miss the strong and perceptive leadership, the cooperation, and the understanding of congressional realities, which were characteristic of his relationship with Capitol Hill.
During an unprecedented 7-year tenure, Secretary McNamara earned my admiration for his courage in the face of difficult decisions; my respect for his prudence in the management of an extremely complex and diverse department. He brought rational and advanced economic systems and policies to bear on the Department's spending decisions, thus saving American taxpayers billions of dollars. He also demonstrated a high degree of sensitivity to human injustice
through the initiation of programs of education and training for disadvantaged American youth.
In his new position as President of the World Bank, Mr. McNamara will continue to have heavy responsibilities as well as great opportunities for continued contributions to world stability and peace.
I wish these two distinguished Americans well in the years ahead, confident that their future contributions to our country will reach ever higher levels.