[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 197 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 197


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 27, 1998

        Received and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas Sara E. Lister, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve 
        Affairs, on October 26, 1997, at a public conference held in Baltimore, 
        Maryland, stated that ``The Marines are extremists.'';
Whereas such a characterization denigrates 222 years of sacrifice and dedication 
        to the Nation by the Marine Corps
    and dishonors the hundreds of thousands of Marines whose blood has been shed 
        in the name of freedom;
Whereas citizens from all walks of life have donned the Marine Corps uniform and 
        gone to war to defend the Nation, many never to return;
Whereas the young people of America join the Marine Corps to be challenged, to 
        be held to high standards, and to be part of something bigger than 
        themselves;
Whereas a characterization of the Marines as ``extremists'', especially when 
        made by a senior military department official with responsibility for 
        military personnel policy, has the potential to have an extraordinarily 
        detrimental effect on morale, recruitment, and retention not just for 
        the Marine Corps but for all branches of the Armed Forces;
Whereas Marines and Army soldiers have fought and died side by side time and 
        again in defense of the Nation;
Whereas the values of honor, courage, and commitment embodied by the Marine 
        Corps are not extreme; and
Whereas to describe the Marines as ``extremists'' violates all rules of 
        propriety and does not reflect the views of the American people: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That (1) Sara E. Lister, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower 
and Reserve Affairs, should immediately resign from office, and (2) if 
she does not so resign, the President should remove her from office.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 13, 1997.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.