[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DOUBLE STANDARD EXISTS IN THE AIR FORCE

  (Mr. SCHUMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, it was only 1 week ago that a junior 
officer in the Air Force was discharged without honor for engaging in 
an extramarital affair. This junior officer was a woman. Today, 1 week 
later, a general in the same Air Force is up for promotion to the 
pinnacle of military responsibility after engaging in an extramarital 
affair. The general was a man.
  Whether this double standard is because of military rank or of 
gender, it is still a double standard and it is simply wrong. Secretary 
Cohen said today he wanted to stop the feeding frenzy surrounding 
allegations in the Armed Forces. I understand his goal and believe he 
is trying to do what he feels is the right thing; however, if he wants 
to promote General Gaston to the Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff, he 
should invite Lt. Kelly Flinn to rejoin the Air Force as a B-52 pilot.
  This morning women all over America are scratching their heads 
wondering what kind of double standard exists in the Air Force. The 
Secretary should rectify that immediately and reinstate Lieutenant 
Flinn.

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