NORMAN — Statement of David L. Boren, former longest serving chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence, about Chuck Hagel’s and John Brennan’s nominations:
“I applaud the president’s selection of Chuck Hagel to be secretary of defense and John Brennan to be the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Over the past four years as co-chair of the bi-partisan President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, I have had the chance to work closely with both Hagel and Brennan.
“Chuck Hagel will make an outstanding Secretary of Defense. His own experience as a combat veteran who was wounded in battle will cause him to be a strong advocate for our men and women in uniform. He is committed to making sure that our military capabilities are second to none.
“Sharing the co-chairmanship of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board with him has given me the opportunity to closely observe his capabilities and his philosophy of public service. His patriotism is sincere and deep. His personal integrity is rock solid. His constant focus as a member of the board has been to identify and close any gaps in our national security capabilities in order to make our country safer.
“John Brennan is the ideal choice to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He is a consummate professional who has served in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He has both the skill and the vision to lead the agency in the current environment with multiple threats to Americans.
“In more than 25 years of observing and overseeing the intelligence community, I have never encountered a more dedicated and capable intelligence professional. He has played a key role in weakening the leadership structure of al-Qaida and in reducing the terrorist threat. In doing so, he has carefully balanced national security needs with our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.”
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