[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 27 (Monday, March 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E284-E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MILITARY RECRUITERS SHOULD BE WELCOME IN HIGH SCHOOLS

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                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 13, 2000

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member highly commends and submits 
for the Record an editorial from the March 7, 2000, Norfolk Daily News 
expressing concern that some public high schools do not cooperate with 
military recruiters while allowing universities and colleges on campus. 
High school students should have a full range of postsecondary options 
presented to them, in order to make an informed decision about life 
after high school.

       [From the Daily News, Mar. 7, 2000]

 Cooperation is Important Duty--Recruiters Deserve Welcome From All of 
                      Nation's Public High Schools

       Members of the Senate Armed Services Personnel subcommittee 
     heard testimony recently that many high schools refuse to 
     cooperate with military recruiters. It is important for 
     members of Congress to find out

[[Page E285]]

     why this is so, and whether a more cooperative attitude can 
     be encouraged.
       With the Army, Navy and Air Force falling short of their 
     recruitment goals in the past year and new peacekeeping 
     demands being put on U.S. forces, it is important that 
     enlistments in the all volunteer force be encouraged.
       Much is being done to improve pay and benefits, to improve 
     military housing and shorten long tours of foreign duty. 
     Provision of enlistment incentives that include funds for 
     later college training has helped the services and the 
     educational institutions as well.
       In this free society, it may not be possible to do much 
     about some people described by Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth 
     Green, an Army Reserve recruiter in Los Angeles. She told the 
     Senate subcommittee that when visiting one of the high 
     schools in her recruiting area, she is regularly greeted by 
     parents who protest her presence.
       Recruiters from each of the services agreed that about half 
     of the schools bar military representatives and also refuse 
     access to student directories that would allow correspondence 
     with prospective enlistees. By contrast, the recruiters 
     noted, colleges that seek to recruit high school students get 
     full cooperation.
       It is a difference in treatment that should not exist. 
     Public high schools have a special burden to ensure their 
     graduates the broadest possible career opportunities. 
     Military service is an important option, and each of the 
     branches ought to be welcomed to career days or any other 
     similar events.
       Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va., a member of the subcommittee that 
     heard testimony from the recruiters, suggested that 
     legislation be considered to provide some inducement for 
     schools to cooperate with recruiters.
       A different approach could be in order. With federal money 
     playing an increasing, though still minor, role in public 
     education, Washington ought not consider more rewards for 
     cooperating but impose funding cuts for failure to do so. 
     That would get more attention.
       While little is said these days about patriotic duties and 
     an obligation all Americans have to help protect the nation 
     from overt aggression and terrorists, a fundamental duty of 
     citizenship needs to include support of the nation's military 
     services.

     

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