[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H9901-H9902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SENSE-OF-CONGRESS RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ARMED MILITIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it has been a week, but 
certainly we can say that though we may have disagreed, this Congress 
has attempted to work on behalf of the American people.
  I would hope that even if something is threatening, that something is 
confusing, that there is something that we are not sure of, that we 
still, as a Congress, have the courage to bring it to the attention of 
the American people.

[[Page H9902]]

  Today I presented to the American people House Concurrent Resolution 
206, which is a sense of Congress that expresses the threat to the 
security of the American citizens and the U.S. Government by armed 
militia. This may not be a popular stance, but it does us no good to 
hide from the issue.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. Speaker, one of the most energetic promoters of the growing 
antigovernment movement in 1995 was militia of Montana spokesperson Bob 
Fletcher. Shortly after a 2-ton bomb destroyed the Murrah Federal 
Building in Oklahoma, killing 169 people, Fletcher made an announcement 
to the press: Expect more bombs.
  To date, as a freshman, we have not been able to secure from this 
House an opportunity to have hearings on the militia.
  The U.S. Government is comprised of democratic institutions, and any 
change to the Government should occur by peaceful means. Americans 
agree with that. They believe in the first amendment, the right to 
freedom of expression and the right to free association. They do not 
believe in Oklahoma City, Pan Am 103, or TWA 800, and yes, they do not 
believe in the confrontation of legitimate law enforcement officers by 
those who would argue that they have the right to overthrow this 
Government.
  Several members of the Arizona militia have recently been arrested. 
Our militias have repeatedly denounced the legitimacy of the U.S. 
Government. Our militia consists of more than 800 groups that are 
active in more than 40 States.
  This resolution says that Congress resolves to prosecute and identify 
all armed conspirators that are brought together to overthrow the 
Government of the United States. It resolves that individuals and 
groups possessing illegal possession of firearms and explosives should 
be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the Department of 
Justice, and, yes; it resolves that individuals legally possessing 
firearms and explosives and conspiring to destroy the U.S. Government 
should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
  It is important to note that we are not making an issue out of 
something that should not be made an issue of. The militia in America 
are convinced that American people are being systematically oppressed 
by an illegal totalitarian government that is intent of disarming all 
citizens and creating one world government. They believe that the time 
for traditional political reform over their freedom will be secured by 
resistance to the Nation's laws and attacks against its institutions. 
They are not for peaceful addressing of their grievances.
  The Patriot press is filled with wild tales of government 
conspiracies. Some of the most widespread myths assert that the 
government is using black helicopters to spy on its citizens, mustering 
Hong Kong police officers to disarm Americans and implanting electronic 
monitoring devices in newborn babies.
  Strange, you say. I think it is important for this Congress to 
unveil, to disclose all that is being done on behalf of those who would 
conspire against the U.S. Government. No, I am not here to cry fire in 
a crowded theater, simply asking that we not hide away from the truth.
  A complex and bizarre theology also helps the Patriots explain their 
belief and justify their tactics, Patriots as a synonymous name for 
militia. Many subscribe to the Identity religion which holds that white 
people are God's chosen and that it is their divine duty to battle the 
satanic beast of government. Though they have no unified leader, these 
Patriots are connected like no rebel force has ever been. On the 
Internet and by fax machine, they share their gripes against government 
and trade tips on how to avoid tax laws and fight government 
regulation. Through mail ordered manuals they learn how to build bombs 
and conduct surveillance and disable public utilities. On the weekend 
in isolated fields they practice the art of guerrilla warfare. At 
public meetings their rage is rationalized by the propaganda of the 
movement.
  I would simply say that I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting 
House Concurrent Resolution 206. Let us unveil for the American people 
those who would conspire to overthrow this Government and seriously 
address this issue as Americans believing in peace and believing in 
democracy.

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