[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 22 (Monday, February 8, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NORTH KOREA'S LAUNCH OF TAEPO DONG MISSILE A WAKE-UP CALL

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, last year I and many of my colleagues 
expressed our concerns over the growing missile threat to the United 
States.
  Chief among those concerns was the administration's lack of resolve 
to deploy a National Missile Defense system.
  Surprisingly, though, the North Korean launch of a Taepo Dong missile 
in August of last year was a wake-up call for this administration and 
for America as well, because portions of this missile landed off the 
coast of Alaska.
  Mr. Speaker, the threat is here and it must be countered. I applaud 
the dedication of $6.6 billion in the administration's budget and the 
commitment to deploy viable National Missile Defense.
  I am proud to be a part of this effort and, based on my own 
experience in the Gulf War with these terror weapons, I will fight to 
ensure that no American citizen will ever be confronted with a Taepo 
Dong missile or any other terror missile.
  Mr. Speaker, with all the uncertainties in our world, for our 
children, for our grandchildren, we must strengthen our national 
security and protect our precious country.
  I encourage all Members to help protect America. Let us pass H.R. 4, 
because a national missile defense is something we cannot live without.

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