[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16425-S16426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAIG (for himself, Mr. Dole, Mr. Lott, Mr. Brown, Mr. 
        Burns, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Frist, Mr. Grams, Mr. 
        Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Helms, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Kempthorne, Mr. 
        Murkowski, Mr. Pressler, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Simpson, 
        Mr. Smith, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Thomas):
  S. 1370. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit 
the imposition of any requirement for a member of the Armed Forces of 
the United States to wear indicia or insignia of the United Nations as 
part of the military uniform of the member; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.


                      MILITARY UNIFORM LEGISLATION

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joining my colleague 
from the House of Representatives, Majority Whip Tom Delay, in 
introducing legislation that will prohibit the requirement that members 
of the United States Armed Forces wear United Nations uniform items.
  Mr. President, we have all been watching the reports as U.S. Army 
Specialist Michael New has become a casualty of the debate over 
American troops participating in U.N. operations.
  In violating a lawful order issued through the U.S. Chain of Command, 
he will be held accountable under the standards set by the U.S. Code of 
Military Justice for refusing to wear a United Nations cap and shoulder 
patch.
  Specialist New was to have been deployed to participate in operation 
Able Sentry in Macedonia, the stated purpose of which is to observe the 
border and discourage, by its presence, the spread of hostilities into 
Macedonia.
  The operations in Macedonia in which the American forces are 
participating are conducted under the auspices of the United Nations. A 


[[Page S16426]]

Norwegian general officer currently expercises operations control over 
the American task force Able Sentry.
  While a U.N. commander has operational control, it is my 
understanding that the command of the U.S. task force remains under the 
U.S. chain of command.
  Mr. President, on October 10, Army Specialist Michael New reported 
for duty without wearing the United Nations shoulder patch and beret he 
and his unit were issued to wear as part of their uniform while 
deployed in Macedonia. On October 17, Specialist New was charged for 
failure to obey a lawful order in violation of article 92, Uniform Code 
of Military Justice.
  Mr. President, I would also note that Michael New will have legal 
representation and receive due process under these standards, as is 
extended to any military member who stands accused of violating 
military rules. The Army has indicated to me that care will be taken to 
ensure military standards of justice and fairness prevail.
  The situation that has resulted from Specialist New's actions has 
caused me great concern. As one who feels very strongly about this 
Nation's sovereignty and responsibilities placed on our Armed Forces to 
protect and defend this Nation, I find myself very frustrated with what 
has happened.
  Mr. President, my sympathy with his decision to refuse to wear the 
U.N. patch and hat does not change the fact that we must abide by the 
standards set by the Military Code of Conduct if we are to assure order 
and fairness in the military. Our military must rely on strict chain of 
command and order. That is without a doubt.
  However, the men and women who have chosen to serve this Nation and 
the American people should not be put in a position which forces them 
to bear allegiance to any nation or organization other than the United 
States of America. Michael New made the decision to serve in the Armed 
Forces in order to defend the United States, not the United Nations. 
Therefore, in order to resolve this situation. I am introducing 
legislation that prevents any member of the U.S. Armed Forces from 
being required to wear, as part of their military uniform, any insignia 
of the United Nations.
  Mr. President, there is still another, broader issue that must be 
addressed, and that is the use of U.S. forces under U.N. command.
  It is my understanding that except for some expertise that was 
provided by a limited number of American advisors, until the past 2 or 
3 years, no American troops had served in U.N. peacekeeping forces. In 
my view, the United States should not assume responsibility for 
resolving every conflict that develops around the world.
  American combat troops are not, and should not be used as ``world 
policemen.''
  Mr. President, I supported Senator Nickles' amendment to the fiscal 
year 1994 defense appropriations legislation which would have required 
congressional approval before American troops could serve under foreign 
command, except when the President certifies it is an emergency or that 
our national security is at risk.
  Unfortunately, the amendment was defeated on a 33 to 65 vote.
  This issue remains unresolved. Therefore I also support hearings in 
the Senate Armed Services Committee aimed at reviewing Specialist New's 
case and the proper role U.S. troops should play in international 
military operations.
  Mr. President, I would just urge my colleagues to review the bill 
that I am introducing today in the greater context of this situation. 
We must not lose sight of the fact that the men and women who 
volunteered to serve in our Armed Forces, volunteered to defend the 
United States of America, not the United Nations.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1370

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON REQUIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE 
                   ARMED FORCES TO WEAR UNIFORM ITEMS OF THE 
                   UNITED NATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 45 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       (a) In General.--Chapter 45 of title 10. United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 777. Insignia of United Nations: prohibition on 
       requirement for wearing

       ``No member of the armed forces may be required to wear as 
     part of the uniform any badge, symbol, helmet, headgear, or 
     other visible indicia or insignia which indicates (or tends 
     to indicate) an allegiance or affiliation to or with the 
     United Nations.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

``777. Insignia of United Nations: prohibition on requirement for 
              wearing.''.
                                 ______