[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 115 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  CLINTON'S MILITARY: HOLLOW, AND POOR

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 16, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the record a June 12 New York 
Times article which describes how poverty is invading the ranks of our 
Nation's military. Listen to these disturbing facts: Three-quarters of 
our enlisted people earn less than $30,000 a year, and the gap between 
military and civilian pay is increasing. Last year, use of food stamps 
at military commissaries increased by $3 million, more than a 10-
percent increase over 1992. In certain regions and within certain 
subgroups, the picture is far worse. For instance, 45 percent of Army 
enlisted and 46 percent of Marine Corps enlisted earn less than $20,000 
a year. And in Liberty County, GA, near Fort Stewart, 30 percent of the 
households receiving food stamps are military.
  These facts have the military leadership very worried, Mr. Speaker, 
and with good reason. A force that faces such increasing economic 
problems is bound to be afflicted by declining morale and too rapid a 
turnover rate. This situation is a direct threat to readiness, Mr. 
Speaker.
  And what has been the Clinton administration's response to this? A 
proposed military pay freeze. Yes, the Clinton administration tried to 
freeze military pay this year and proposed only a 1.6-percent increase 
for next year. Fortunately, Congress had the foresight and sense of 
fairness to rebut the administration and approve a 2.2-percent 
increase, which itself is inadequate.
  Mr. Speaker, it is high time we stop the slide toward a 1970's, Jimmy 
Carter-style force. Recent defense budgets are simply inadequate to 
maintain the force size and structure we need to continue our global 
leadership role. They are simply inadequate to maintain our equipment 
in safe and battle-ready condition. They are simply inadequate to keep 
our forces honed, trained and ready. And they are simply inadequate to 
retain the highest quality personnel we can find. As this article 
points out, even honor, patriotism, adventure and specialized training 
cannot overcome the necessity of feeding one's family.
  We are going hollow, Mr. Speaker, and that is why I intend to vote 
``no'' on this week's DOD authorization conference report.

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