June 16, 2021

Duckworth Introduces Gina Ortiz Jones, Nominee to be Under Secretary of the Air Force, at SASC Hearing

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced Gina Ortiz Jones, President Biden’s nominee to be Under Secretary of the Air Force, at today’s SASC Hearing. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee. Video of the Senator’s remarks can be found here.

Key Quotes:

  • “I’m here today introducing Gina because I am confident in her ability to steer the Department of the Air Force through a time of significant change with agility, determination, inspiration and steadfast commitment to mission accomplishment.”
  • “Gina’s path to the Air Force mirrors that of many currently serving Airmen. Her experience in Iraq has given her a personal understanding of the toll that deployments take on servicemembers… and their families.”
  • “I will say just one more thing about Gina’s qualifications. When she disagreed with how she saw the government being run, she didn’t sit back and decide that it was someone else’s problem. She left a promising career in the Intelligence Community, took a risk and ran for office herself, because she believed in playing her part to help her community.”

Duckworth’s full remarks as delivered are below:

  • Thank you so much Mr. Chairman – I apologize that I’m not there in person. I’m actually on campus at a mark-up in the Commerce Committee. That’s not an indication of my enthusiasm for Mrs. Ortiz Jones, I think she’s fabulous.
  • Thank you so much for the opportunity to introduce President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next Under Secretary of the Air Force. Gina Ortiz Jones is a former Air Force captain and a Veteran of the Iraq War. She is a first-generation Filipina-American and a member of the LGBTQ community.
  • But most of all, Gina is a dynamic leader who is dedicated to serving her country.
  • I’m here today introducing Gina because I am confident in her ability to steer the Department of the Air Force through a time of significant change with agility, determination, inspiration and steadfast commitment to mission accomplishment.
  • It won’t be an easy job. If she is confirmed, Gina will be tasked with organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of nearly 700,000 active duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers, civilians and their families worldwide, alongside the Secretary of the Air Force.
  • She’ll have to do so during a time when the Department of the Air Force is rapidly modernizing to operate more effectively in the Indo-Pacific region and lead in the space domain, while maintaining enduring strategic capabilities.
  • All of these missions are vital to our national security. The Air Force needs leadership to help it navigate these challenges.
  • Gina’s experiences have helped shape her into the leader that she is today. The daughter of an immigrant single mom, she attended Boston University on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and a Master’s Degree in Economics.
  • She served on active duty in the Air Force as an intelligence officer, deploying to Iraq before returning to Texas to care for her mother during a time of illness.
  • Gina’s path to the Air Force mirrors that of many currently serving Airmen. Her experience in Iraq has given her a personal understanding of the toll that deployments take on servicemembers… and their families.
  • And given that she commissioned while the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” policy was still in effect, Gina knows what it’s like to see a military that is not welcoming to her… and to want to serve her nation anyway.
  • It’s difficult to think of anyone better suited to lead the members of the Department of the Air Force with understanding and compassion.
  • After leaving active duty, Gina continued her career as an analyst, both at U.S. Africa Command and at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where her portfolio included operations in Latin America.
  • Gina also worked in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and received another Master’s degree in Global and International Studies as well as a Master’s of Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies.
  • With all of that experience, it’s safe to say that Gina understands the challenges and opportunities that we face globally and how our military fits into that picture.
  • I will say just one more thing about Gina’s qualifications. When she disagreed with how she saw the government being run, she didn’t sit back and decide that it was someone else’s problem. She left a promising career in the Intelligence Community, took a risk and ran for office herself, because she believed in playing her part to help her community.
  • Gina’s desire to be a part of the solution and willingness to play an active role in shaping the future of America speak volumes about her commitment to her community… and to her country.
  • This long history of engaged public service gives me confidence that if confirmed to be the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Gina Ortiz Jones will not just be a trailblazer and inspiring figure—though she is both of those things.
  • She will also be an experienced, level-headed and agile servant leader who is capable of helping to shape the Department of the Air Force that America needs. 
  • Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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