[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 36 (Monday, February 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3226-S3227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            P.S./WASHINGTON

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, readers of a newspaper column that I have 
written within the last 2 weeks were exposed to a tribute to First Lady 
Hillary Rodham Clinton and a serious discussion about public opposition 
to homosexuals in the military.
  [[Page S3227]] For the benefit of my colleagues, I ask that they be 
printed in the Record.
  The columns follow:

                The Haters Target Hillary Rodham Clinton

                        (By Senator Paul Simon)

       When I was about nine years old, my father took me to hear 
     Eleanor Roosevelt speak. Even as a nine-year-old, I knew she 
     had sparked controversy. My father, a Lutheran minister, told 
     me that she stood for helping those in great need.
       Years later I had the opportunity to meet her a few times, 
     and on one occasion to sit next to her at a dinner. A 
     plainspoken women of simple tastes but obvious conviction, 
     she somehow stirred passionate opposition.
       History now regards her as one of our finest first ladies.
       I mention this because in a somewhat similar way, Hillary 
     Rodham Clinton manages to generate strong feelings of 
     disapproval from some. I confess I do not understand it.
       I saw her leadership on the health care issue, and while 
     some mistakes were made and the nation did not get health 
     coverage for all our citizens, I have yet to meet anyone who 
     sat in any of those meetings who did not come away impressed 
     by her ability, her mastery of the subject, and her 
     sincerity.
       In one interview that has been published, she half-
     apologized for the way she has handled things.
       She is not the person who should apologize; it is the mean-
     spirited haters who should reflect on their response.
       There are those who expect the first lady to be present on 
     official occasions, smile sweetly at the appropriate time, 
     cut a ribbon for a new building or enterprise now and then 
     but otherwise be devoid of opinion or influence.
       That day has passed.
       I have served under five presidents, beginning with Gerald 
     Ford. All of their wives, starting with Betty Ford, are known 
     to have played a role in public matters. Hillary Clinton has 
     done it more openly.
       Senator Bob Dole is the leading Republican candidate for 
     President today. If he should be elected, Elizabeth Dole, a 
     former cabinet member and now president of the American Red 
     Cross, will not be some decorative figure sitting on the 
     sidelines. ``Liddy'' Dole will make her presence felt on the 
     national scene, if that situation arises, and I would want 
     her to do that.
       My wife, Jeanne Simon, has contributed significantly to 
     what I have been able to do in public life, and I am grateful 
     to her for that, and proud of her for that.
       President Clinton brought to the White House someone whose 
     leadership and base of conviction means much to all of us.
       Her critics are noisier than her supporters. That is always 
     the case.
       But she should know that there are many of us who are 
     grateful to her.
                                                                    ____

                   Homosexuality and Military Service

                        (By Senator Paul Simon)

       ``How can you support having homosexuals in the armed 
     forces?'' a visibly angry woman asked me after a town meeting 
     recently. ``Don't you believe in the Bible?''
       I confess I am not much impressed by people who hate in the 
     name of religion. But let me answer her question partially, 
     since I do not claim to be a theologian.
       When I was a boy, my father never had to call me aside and 
     say, ``Paul, you ought to be interested in girls.'' I came by 
     it very naturally. He had to give me other warnings!
       Just as my interest in girls came naturally, that is not 
     natural for a small percentage of men. There is evidence that 
     there is a genetic basis for this difference among men, 
     although the scientific research is less complete for women.
       Regardless of the reasons for this difference, there are 
     several issues that woman with the angry question should 
     address.
       If there is a military emergency and we have a draft, would 
     you exempt anyone who says he is gay? The percentage of those 
     claiming to be gay would suddenly escalate!
       Because you mentioned the biblical basis for your beliefs, 
     since the 10 Commandments mention adultery and not 
     homosexuality, and adultery is condemned at least 40 times 
     more than homosexuality in the Bible, should we keep anyone 
     out of the service who has committed adultery? My 
     recollection of my Army days is that would thin our ranks 
     appreciably.
       Or should we judge people by their conduct, not their 
     genes? That makes sense to me.
       When I was in the Army--long ago--I served in intelligence 
     and we screened people for security clearances. Those who 
     were gay were kicked out of the Army--that's a recent 
     phenomenon--but they could not get security clearances 
     because we judged that they could be blackmailed, certainly a 
     proper judgment in the early 1950s.
       But during those days, and during all of our previous wars, 
     we had an armed service to be proud of, and it was inclusive.
       There is also the problem of where you stop the practice of 
     discrimination. If people cannot serve in the armed forces, 
     what about the police force or fire department? What jobs 
     would you let them have? Once you start the practice of 
     discrimination, where do you stop?
       I would finally ask that woman who is so righteously angry: 
     What would you do if your son or daughter came home and told 
     you that he or she is gay?
       What would you do?
       My guess is that even that hard heart would melt.
       And become more understanding.
       

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