Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.  I join you in welcoming our nominees.  The positions for which these individuals have been nominated involve significant and challenging duties.

Both nominees today are, in my view, eminently qualified for the positions for which they have been nominated.  Lt Gen Waldhauser, who has been nominated to be the next Commander, United States Africa Command, currently serves as the J-7, Director for Joint Force Development.  He has served in a number of operational and joint positions that have prepared him to serve as Commander, AFRICOM, including as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division and as the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command.  Notably, I’d be remiss in not pointing out a particular qualification of Lt Gen Waldhauser—early in his career he passed the most rigorous of tests by graduating from the US Army Ranger School, presaging his future success.       

Lt Gen Lengyel, who has been nominated to be the Chief, National Guard Bureau, also comes to us with many qualifications.  He has served the past 4 years as the Vice Chairman of the National Guard Bureau, and has vast experience as an Air Force pilot with significant joint experience.  The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is a principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense, through the Chairman, on matters involving the non-Federalized National Guard forces in support of homeland defense and civil support missions.  In this role, the Chief, National Guard Bureau, plays a critical role in facilitating and mediating the interests of the States with the corporate mission and programs of the Department of Defense.  As we’ve seen several times over the years in hearings before this Committee, this is a tough job and it takes a talented individual to fill it.  I have every confidence that both Lt Gen Waldhauser and Lt Gen Lengyel will be successful, and I support their nominations.

Finally, I want to extend a special thanks to your families.  I understand, Lt Gen Waldhauser, that your wife Gail and son Mark have joined you today, and Lt Gen Lengyel, your wife Sally and your daughter Katie have joined you.  We all know how important your families have been to your careers; without them, you wouldn’t be sitting here today.  So I thank all of you for your service and sacrifice.

Again, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing, and I look forward to hearing from our witnesses.