
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 4, 1994                   TAG: 9402040151
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

PERRY CONFIRMED TO HEAD DEFENSE

Acting with unusual speed, the Senate confirmed William Perry as defense secretary Thursday, turning over command of the Pentagon to a scholar, businessman and expert on high-tech weapons.

The 97-0 vote came slightly more than a week after President Clinton named Perry, until now the No. 2 man at the Pentagon, to replace Les Aspin. Shortly after the Senate vote, Perry was sworn in at the Pentagon.

"He does have the vision we need," said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "He is totally committed to the security of this country."

Committee colleague John Warner, R-Va., predicted Perry would rank "among the finest" of the 19 people to hold the job since its creation after World War II.

Perry takes over as the glow of Cold War victory fades and the specter of nuclear weapons proliferation and simmering regional conflict emerges. And he will move into the spacious office overlooking the Potomac as the Pentagon is adjusting to new rules on women in combat and homosexuals in uniform.

by CNB