October 19, 2009
Media, PA – Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07), a former 3-star admiral and the highest ranking Veteran to ever serve in Congress, received a response today from Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus regarding the Congressman’s request for further information about abuses of sailors in a Bahrain dog handling unit and whether appropriate action followed the initial inquiry into the matter two years ago (full letter is attached). In the letter, Secretary Mabus writes:
“Commander, Navy Installations Command forwarded the investigation to the commanders of senior personnel identified in the investigation for their disposition, as many of the individuals involved had already transferred from Bahrain. Recently, Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, tasked Commander, Navy Installations Command with conducting a comprehensive review of the post-investigation actions taken in this case. I will discuss the results of the review with the Chief of Naval Operations.”
“I have replied to the Secretary thanking him for his letter and addressing his comments about the further investigation into this matter,” said Congressman Sestak. “In addition, in my response, I have requested a timeframe for when they will be able to provide full details from Admiral Roughead regarding not only the findings of the investigation, but also the actions taken as a result. We must ensure appropriate accountability and transparency in this matter.”
The Congressman had written to the Secretary of the Navy on September 11, requesting information on the case of Joseph Rocha, a member of the unit who, according to documentation obtained by Congressman Sestak, was subject to assault and battery in that unit after questions arose about his sexual orientation.
Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, the Congressman was the first Director of Deep Blue, the Navy’s anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the Global War on Terrorism. He served as President Clintons Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Congressman Sestak is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
Media Contact:
Jonathon Dworkin
jonathon.dworkin@mail.house.gov
610-892-8623