WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Robert Gates, the nominee for secretary of defense, was described as "thoughtful, honest, experienced, no-nonsense, analytical and visionary" by the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will begin its confirmation hearings Tuesday morning.
CNN obtained a copy of the opening statement ahead of the hearing.

Sen. John Warner, R-Va. borrowed his description from one he made in November 1991, when the full Senate assessed whether Gates was suitable to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Gates was approved, and served under President Bush's father, George H.W. Bush.

"Bob Gates is a very thoughtful man, an honest man, an experienced official, a good analyst, a no-nonsense manager, and a man with a vision of the future direction of the role of U.S. intelligence," Warner said, reading his 1991 quote. "I reiterate those comments in the context of this nomination."

-- CNN Congressional Correspondent Andrea Koppel