[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 11 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E131-E132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO PROHIBIT PAY AND ALLOWANCES TO INCARCERATED 
                           MILITARY PERSONNEL

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                      HON. BLANCHE LAMBERT LINCOLN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 19, 1995

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce legislation that 
would prohibit pay and allowances to military personnel who are under a 
sentence that includes dismissal or a dishonorable or bad-conduct 
discharge. In this [[Page E132]] day of heightened fiscal 
responsibility, it is outrageous that this Government continues to keep 
military personnel on its payrolls after they have been convicted of 
crimes. My constituents and I feel that such irresponsible practices 
must be stopped. This policy was originally adopted to finance the 
costs of shipping families of convicted criminals back to civilization 
during the development of the Old West. However, times have changed and 
such an outdated policy should be rectified. This Government should not 
be paying out funds designed to solve problems that existed 120 years 
ago.
  Certainly today no civilian firm would continue to keep on its 
payrolls convicted rapists and murderers. In summary, I urge my 
colleagues to sponsor and support this worthwhile bill to correct an 
existing anomaly in our Government's policy.

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