[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 1, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        VETERANS AWAIT CONGRESSIONAL MOVE ON FROZEN IRAQI ASSETS

  (Mr. DOGGETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, the current issue of the Stars and Stripes, 
the oldest national veterans newspaper in this land, tells the whole 
story. The lead headline is ``Veterans Await Congressional Move on 
Frozen Iraqi Assets.''
  It is referring to the need for a congressional move on the Helms 
amendment, an amendment that would bar completely the right of every 
gulf war veteran to assert their claim against the frozen assets of 
Saddam Hussein. That amendment is wrong, and this morning this House 
has an opportunity to approve a motion to approve it on a record vote, 
to go down clearly on the side of the veterans of this country, who 
have defended this country, and respond to this issue.
  And yet even this very morning in the morning newspapers, the author 
of the Helms amendment still insists on a position that would deny 1 
red cent, veterans would not get 1 red cent, from Saddam Hussein if his 
position prevailed.
  Let us approve the motion and send a message across the hall to 
Senator Helms that we will stand up for veterans.

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