ms. j johnson, general counsel for the department of defense. the secretary pointed out, we have our prepared written statement. i would just like to say in summary that secretary gates has appointed general hamm and me to cochair this working group. the goal of our working group is to assess the impacts of the repeal of 654 should the congress decide that that is the course of action it should take and to develop an implementation plan should there be repeal and to understand all of the issues associated with a repeal. we are at the outset of that process. we are just beginning at this stage we are committed to conducting an objective, thorough, and comprehensive assessment of the repeal of 654. some of the guiding principles we have said are as follows: we should enlist the views and opinions of a broad array of people within the service as well as congressman has pointed out, military families. we believe that is important. i know secretary gates believes that is important. we have asked working group members to set aside their personal opini

ms. j johnson, general counsel for the department of defense. as the secretary pointed out, we have our prepared written statement. i would just like to say in summary that secretary gates has appointed general hamm and me to cochair this working group. the goal of our working group is to assess the impacts of the repeal of 654 should the congress decide that that is the course of action it should take and to develop an implementation plan should there be repeal and to understand all of the issues associated with a repeal. we are at the outset of that process. we are just beginning at this stage we are committed to conducting an objective, thorough, and comprehensive assessment of the repeal of 654. some of the guiding principles we have said are as follows: we should enlist the views and opinions of a broad array of people within the service as well as congressman has pointed out, military families. we believe that is important. i know secretary gates believes that is important. we have asked working group members to set aside their personal op

ms. j johnson, general counsel for the department of defense. as the secretary pointed out, we have our prepared written statement. i would just like to say in summary that secretary gates has appointed general hamm and me to cochair this working group. the goal of our working group is to assess the impacts of the repeal of 654 should the congress decide that that is the course of action it should take and to develop an implementation plan should there be repeal and to understand all of the issues associated with a repeal. we are at the outset of that process. we are just beginning at this stage we are committed to conducting an objective, thorough, and comprehensive assessment of the repeal of 654. some of the guiding principles we have said are as follows: we should enlist the views and opinions of a broad array of people within the service as well as congressman has pointed out, military families. we believe that is important. i know secretary gates believes that is important. we have asked working group members to set aside their personal op