Navy League's Annual Sea-Air-Space Reception and Dinner
April 4, 2007, the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC

Thank you gentlemen for your kind words. We are most honored. ... Admiral Mullen, General Magnus... flag officers and distinguished guests.

Members and friends of the Navy League. It is an honor to be with you. I want to thank the Navy League for this prestigious award. In recognizing me, you are honoring the thousands of my colleagues at CACI International, who work tirelessly to support the U.S. Navy, and all of our armed forces around the world.

The Nimitz Award is special. It honors a naval hero whose qualities of leadership, statesmanship and dedication exemplify his commitment to a strong maritime defense supported by American industry. As Commander-in-Chief in the Pacific in World War II, Admiral Nimitz commanded more than two million men and women, 5000 ships and 20,000 aircraft. Admiral Nimitz was the ideal Navy role model that we learned about as Midshipmen at Annapolis back in 1955 - just 10 years after the war.

Then there is Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, another excellent role model. Tom was a close personal friend for many years. He served under Admiral Nimitz, and was a Navy pilot in Hawaii on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941. He later served as CNO and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - 1967-74. Tom also did a great job serving on CACI's Board of Directors for six years, until his last retirement in 1993.

And today, as we fight the global war on terrorism, we need to work together, united, on all fronts. At CACI we tackle this challenge daily, helping to make sure that our warfighters remain the best trained and the best equipped in the world. Helping support them with the best IT systems and intel... from command levels to the combat battlespace.

And there IS one thing I would like to leave with everyone tonight. And that is never to forget the role and mission of the Navy, and of all our armed forces - and that is always to be "ready"… with the means to achieve an American Victory in Combat - whether it's a Victory at Sea - or a Victory on Land!

As to the Navy's active role in the war on terrorism... one week from today my daughter's husband, LCDR Jed Dennis, U.S. Navy Reserve, will be heading to Afghanistan to serve alongside U.S. Army forces and the Afghan Army. LCDR Dennis is at Ft. Riley, Kansas... while my daughter, Laura, is here with me tonight.

And others... of our CACI families have served in Afghanistan and Iraq as well - Army and Marines - and some have made the ultimate sacrifice. I am sure that many of you have similar experiences with your family and friends.

As Ensigns, fresh out of the Naval Academy in June of 1959 we understood the importance of duty, honor and integrity. Today, these same qualities are alive and well at CACI... and we work to bring them to bear... in everything we do.

CACI salutes the U.S. Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine. And we send "best wishes" to our respected friend, Admiral Bill "Fox" Fallon, as he assumes command at CENTCOM.

God bless them all.

And thank you again, Navy League, for this special honor.

Thank you.