Vice President Al Gore (center) delivers his opening remarks at a Pentagon press briefing announcing the Defense Reform Initiative on Nov. 10, 1997. Gore joined Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen (left) in announcing the Defense Reform Initiative which will aggressively apply to the Department those business practices that American industry has successfully used to become leaner and more flexible in order to remain competitive. Gore endorsed the effort as exemplifying the objectives of the National Performance Review. Joining Cohen and Gore on the dais are Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Henry H. Shelton, U.S. Army, and Deputy Secretary of Defense John J. Hamre.