deputy secretary burns and general ham told me how much they appreciated how i handled the night of the assault and its aftermath. i received written notes of come men is today from undersecretary wendy sherman and from executive secretary steven moll incharming charge larry pope told me personally that my performance was near heroic. in february of 1991 i swore an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the united states. i m here today to honor that oath. i look forward to ends aing your questions fully and truthfully. thank you very much. thank you. i understand that some of those commendations an letters are in your opening statement. for all the witnesses, all extraneous material or other insertions will be placed in the record on your behalf. mr. nordstrom. good morning chairman