[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VOTE ``YES'' ON H.R. 4

  (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, three out of four Americans, 75 percent, 
believe the United States already possesses the ability to defend 
itself from a missile attack. I think it is only fair to inform them 
that we cannot. Here in America we may have little or no warning of a 
ballistic missile attack that is launched just offshore by some 
terrorist or rogue nation.
  Speaking of rogue nations, North Korea, Iraq and Iran have all 
improved and accelerated their ballistic missile programs to threaten 
the U.S. and its allies. China already has numerous long-range missiles 
aimed at U.S. cities, all using stolen U.S. technology.
  There is no doubt that the threat is real. What is in doubt is 
whether Congress has the commitment to deploy a national missile 
defense system to engage and counter this threat.
  Our path is clear, we must be committed and we must do our duty to 
defend America. I urge my colleagues to support this effort. Vote 
``yes'' on H.R. 4, and let us provide the safety for our Nation, for 
our communities, for our homes, for our families and giving America the 
capability to defend ourselves from a ballistic missile attack.

                          ____________________