James D. Watkins
Encyclopedia
Admiral
James David Watkins (born on March 7, 1927) is a retired United States Navy
officer and former Chief of Naval Operations
who also served as U.S. Secretary of Energy
during the George H. W. Bush
Administration and chaired U.S. government commissions on HIV/AIDS and ocean policy. Watkins has also served on the boards of various companies and other nongovernmental organizations. Currently, Admiral Watkins serves as the co-chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
.
Watkins' important positions within the United States
Government include:
He has also served (and serves) several non-Governmental roles:
; he subsequently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
in 1949 and received his master's degree
in mechanical engineering
from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1958.
Admiral Watkins spent 37 years in the Navy
, serving on destroyers, cruisers and submarines, and shore assignments in personnel management.
During his tenure in the U. S. Navy
, Watkins served as Chief of Naval Operations, Commander of the Sixth Fleet, Vice Chief of Naval Operations
, and Commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet.
He has received the Distinguished Service Medal
, Legion of Merit
with two gold award star
s, Bronze Star
with Combat V device, China Service Medal
, World War II Victory Medal
, Navy Occupation Service Medal
, Vietnam Service Medal
with four campaign stars, and has been decorated and honored by several other nations including receiving the United Nations Service Medal
, Vietnam Campaign Medal
and decorations from Brazil
, Korea
, Italy
, France
, Spain
, Japan
, Pakistan
and Sweden
.
In March 2001, Watkins was given the title of President Emeritus of the Consortium for Ocean Research and Education (CORE), and was awarded the Navy's Distinguished Public Award by the Secretary of the Navy. On April 21, 2005, the Naval Postgraduate Mechanical Engineering Building was renamed Watkins Hall, after Admiral James D. Watkins. Watkins is also a member of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Hall of Fame.
, submariner
and former Chief of Naval Operations
, have contributed to his commitment to ocean policy reform.
When the Oceans Act of 2000
was passed, President George W. Bush
established the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, and appointed Admiral Watkins to chair the commission. The 16-member commission presented recommendations for a new and comprehensive national ocean policy. Their final report, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century, was released in 2004.
Concurrently, the Pew Charitable Trusts established the Pew Oceans Commission, which was led by President Bill Clinton
’s former Chief of Staff
Leon E. Panetta. The 18-member group presented its own recommendations on ocean policy to Congress and the Administration. Their final report, America's Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change, was released in 2003.
The two reports listed strikingly similar recommendations. As a result, Congress and the Administration began to recognize the importance of ocean policy reform. To further these recommendations, and to act as one unified force, the two commissions came together in 2004 to establish the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
. Admiral Watkins currently co-chairs the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative with Leon Panetta, and is called on as an expert to advise and testify before Congress on ocean governance reform. He is also cited in the media as an expert on ocean issues and has penned a number of opinion pieces calling for ocean reform that were published in national outlets.
priest Monsignor James D. Watkins, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Northwest Washington D.C.
appointed Watkins as chairman of his President’s Commission on the HIV Epidemic. The Admiral won the support of many AIDS
-awareness advocates when his conservative panel unexpectedly recommended supporting antibias laws to protect HIV
-positive people, on-demand treatment for drug addicts, and the speeding of AIDS
-related research.
On March 9, 1989, Watkins was sworn in as Secretary of Energy
by President George H. W. Bush
.
On June 27, 1989, Watkins announced the Ten-Point Plan to strengthen environmental protection and waste management activities at the United States Department of Energy
's production, research, and testing facilities.
In September 1989, he established the Modernization Review Committee to review the assumptions and recommendations of the 2010 Report.
On November 9, 1989, Watkins established the Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management within the Department of Energy.
On August 15, 1990, Secretary Watkins announced plans to increase oil production and decrease consumption to counter Iraqi-Kuwaiti oil losses caused by the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait.
On March 4, 1991, he transmitted the Administration's energy bill to the House and Senate.
On May 10, 1992, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee he reported that, for the first time since 1945, the United States was not building any nuclear weapons.
He remained in his position as Energy Secretary
until 1993.
in 2001.
On the AIDS epidemic...
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
James David Watkins (born on March 7, 1927) is a retired United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer and former Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
who also served as U.S. Secretary of Energy
United States Secretary of Energy
The United States Secretary of Energy is the head of the United States Department of Energy, a member of the President's Cabinet, and fifteenth in the presidential line of succession. The position was formed on October 1, 1977 with the creation of the Department of Energy when President Jimmy...
during the George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
Administration and chaired U.S. government commissions on HIV/AIDS and ocean policy. Watkins has also served on the boards of various companies and other nongovernmental organizations. Currently, Admiral Watkins serves as the co-chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is a bipartisan, collaborative group in the United States that aims to "accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform." The Joint initiative was established by the members of two major U.S.-based oceans commissions: the Pew...
.
Watkins' important positions within the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Government include:
- Chief of Naval OperationsChief of Naval OperationsThe Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
during part of the Reagan AdministrationReagan AdministrationThe United States presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan administration, was a Republican administration headed by Ronald Reagan from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989....
(1982-1986) - Chairman of the Watkins Commission on AIDSAIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
(1987-1988) - Secretary of EnergyUnited States Secretary of EnergyThe United States Secretary of Energy is the head of the United States Department of Energy, a member of the President's Cabinet, and fifteenth in the presidential line of succession. The position was formed on October 1, 1977 with the creation of the Department of Energy when President Jimmy...
(1989 - 1993) - Chairman of the United States Commission on Ocean PolicyUnited States Commission on Ocean PolicyThe United States Commission on Ocean Policy was created by an act of the 106th United States Congress known as the Oceans Act of 2000...
(also known as the Watkins Commission) (2001-2004)
He has also served (and serves) several non-Governmental roles:
- Co-chair of the Joint Ocean Commission InitiativeJoint Ocean Commission InitiativeThe Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is a bipartisan, collaborative group in the United States that aims to "accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform." The Joint initiative was established by the members of two major U.S.-based oceans commissions: the Pew...
(JOCI) (2004-) - A Director of the Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc. (1993 - 2000)
- A Director of GTS Duratek since April 1997
- A Director of Southern California Edison Co.
- A Director of International Technology Corp.
- A Director of Philadelphia Electric Co.
- A Director of VESTAR Inc.
- Trustee, Carnegie Corporation of New York (1993-1998)
- President of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (1994-March 2001)
- Member, Naval Academy Endowment Trust Board of Directors
- Life Member, USNA Alumni Association
- Member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation
Naval career
Watkins attended Webb School of California in Claremont, CaliforniaClaremont, California
Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
; he subsequently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1949 and received his master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1958.
Admiral Watkins spent 37 years in the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, serving on destroyers, cruisers and submarines, and shore assignments in personnel management.
During his tenure in the U. S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, Watkins served as Chief of Naval Operations, Commander of the Sixth Fleet, Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
, and Commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet.
He has received the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two gold award star
Award star
An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force...
s, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Combat V device, China Service Medal
China Service Medal
The China Service Medal was a military medal awarded to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. The medal was instituted on August 23, 1940 and featured a yellow ribbon with narrow red edge stripes...
, World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
, Navy Occupation Service Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal
The Navy Occupation Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy which was issued to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who participated in the European and Asian occupation forces following the close of the World War II. The decoration was also bestowed to personnel who...
, Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with four campaign stars, and has been decorated and honored by several other nations including receiving the United Nations Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
The United Nations Service Medal for Korea is an international military decoration which was established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950...
, Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is...
and decorations from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
In March 2001, Watkins was given the title of President Emeritus of the Consortium for Ocean Research and Education (CORE), and was awarded the Navy's Distinguished Public Award by the Secretary of the Navy. On April 21, 2005, the Naval Postgraduate Mechanical Engineering Building was renamed Watkins Hall, after Admiral James D. Watkins. Watkins is also a member of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Hall of Fame.
Oceans work
Admiral Watkins’ ties to oceans as a graduate of the Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, submariner
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
and former Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, have contributed to his commitment to ocean policy reform.
When the Oceans Act of 2000
Oceans Act of 2000
The Oceans Act of 2000 established the United States Commission on Ocean Policy, a working group tasked with the development of what would be known as the National Oceans Report.The objective of the report is to promote the following:...
was passed, President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
established the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, and appointed Admiral Watkins to chair the commission. The 16-member commission presented recommendations for a new and comprehensive national ocean policy. Their final report, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century, was released in 2004.
Concurrently, the Pew Charitable Trusts established the Pew Oceans Commission, which was led by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
’s former Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
Leon E. Panetta. The 18-member group presented its own recommendations on ocean policy to Congress and the Administration. Their final report, America's Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change, was released in 2003.
The two reports listed strikingly similar recommendations. As a result, Congress and the Administration began to recognize the importance of ocean policy reform. To further these recommendations, and to act as one unified force, the two commissions came together in 2004 to establish the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is a bipartisan, collaborative group in the United States that aims to "accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform." The Joint initiative was established by the members of two major U.S.-based oceans commissions: the Pew...
. Admiral Watkins currently co-chairs the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative with Leon Panetta, and is called on as an expert to advise and testify before Congress on ocean governance reform. He is also cited in the media as an expert on ocean issues and has penned a number of opinion pieces calling for ocean reform that were published in national outlets.
Family
Admiral Watkins is the father of six children including Katherine Watkins Coopersmith, RNCS; successful internet entrepreneur, Edward Francis Watkins; a nuclear engineer, Susan Watkins; and CatholicCatholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
priest Monsignor James D. Watkins, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Northwest Washington D.C.
Civilian awards
In 1983, Watkins was inducted as a Knight of Malta. In 1991 he was awarded the AAES Chairs' Award from the American Association of Engineering Societies.Reagan Administration
President ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
appointed Watkins as chairman of his President’s Commission on the HIV Epidemic. The Admiral won the support of many AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
-awareness advocates when his conservative panel unexpectedly recommended supporting antibias laws to protect HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
-positive people, on-demand treatment for drug addicts, and the speeding of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
-related research.
George H. W. Bush Administration
United States Secretary of Energy
The United States Secretary of Energy is the head of the United States Department of Energy, a member of the President's Cabinet, and fifteenth in the presidential line of succession. The position was formed on October 1, 1977 with the creation of the Department of Energy when President Jimmy...
by President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
.
On June 27, 1989, Watkins announced the Ten-Point Plan to strengthen environmental protection and waste management activities at the United States Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
's production, research, and testing facilities.
In September 1989, he established the Modernization Review Committee to review the assumptions and recommendations of the 2010 Report.
On November 9, 1989, Watkins established the Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management within the Department of Energy.
On August 15, 1990, Secretary Watkins announced plans to increase oil production and decrease consumption to counter Iraqi-Kuwaiti oil losses caused by the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait.
On March 4, 1991, he transmitted the Administration's energy bill to the House and Senate.
On May 10, 1992, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee he reported that, for the first time since 1945, the United States was not building any nuclear weapons.
He remained in his position as Energy Secretary
United States Secretary of Energy
The United States Secretary of Energy is the head of the United States Department of Energy, a member of the President's Cabinet, and fifteenth in the presidential line of succession. The position was formed on October 1, 1977 with the creation of the Department of Energy when President Jimmy...
until 1993.
George W. Bush Administration
Admiral Watkins was appointed to what would be the second Presidential commission to be known as the Watkins Commission when named Chairman of the United States Commission on Ocean PolicyUnited States Commission on Ocean Policy
The United States Commission on Ocean Policy was created by an act of the 106th United States Congress known as the Oceans Act of 2000...
in 2001.
Quotes
On President Reagan...- "Strong moral integrity, with an ever-confident hand on the national 'tiller,' best defined and guided President Reagan as I witnessed his Commander-in-Chief decision-making qualities,"
- "Always with clear vision, firmness of purpose, no wavering in follow-through, and demonstrated moral courage, he made lasting decisions and expressed them in simple, understandable terms. What great respect and admiration we all had for our Commander-in-Chief,"
On the AIDS epidemic...
- “Semen, blood, and ignorance surround this epidemic, and we were in that last category”
See also
- Joint Ocean Commission InitiativeJoint Ocean Commission InitiativeThe Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is a bipartisan, collaborative group in the United States that aims to "accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform." The Joint initiative was established by the members of two major U.S.-based oceans commissions: the Pew...
- United States Commission on Ocean PolicyUnited States Commission on Ocean PolicyThe United States Commission on Ocean Policy was created by an act of the 106th United States Congress known as the Oceans Act of 2000...
- Watkins Commission
External links
- Bio at NPR
- Joint Ocean Commission Initiative web site
- Dept. of Energy web site
- Naval Postgraduate School - Hall of Fame Recipients
- Oral History Project of The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment, Transcript of the Videotape-Recorded Interview with James D. Watkins, May 11, 2000; Interviewer: Gary Weir.