[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 82 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SUCCESSFUL TEST FOR THAAD

  (Mr. REYES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, at 7:20 a.m. this morning THAAD intercepted 
a Hera target at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Like a 
bullet hitting a bullet, the THAAD missile had a direct hit on the 
target.
  Although there have been difficulties along the way for this program, 
the THAAD team has accomplished one of the most technologically 
challenging feats ever attempted. Significantly, this morning's test is 
the first time that THAAD has been able to make it to the end game, and 
I want to stress that it worked, the technology works.
  Previous tests were plagued with low-tech failures that did not allow 
the THAAD missile to reach the end game to attempt the intercept. In 
conjunction with the PAC III that hit on March 15, this proves that 
hit-to-kill technology can work.
  We must remain mindful, however, that THAAD and other missile defense 
systems are still at the R&D stage. There still could be more failures. 
But we must remain supportive of these systems.
  I want to congratulate the United States Army, especially the 
soldiers at Fort Bliss in White Sands, and all of the employees at 
White Sands Missile Range. I also want to congratulate the Ballistic 
Missile Defense Organization and THAAD contractors for this great 
success.
  Madam Speaker, this is an important and momentous day for national 
missile defense but, ultimately, for the defense of our troops in 
deployed areas throughout the world.

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