[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 89 (Wednesday, July 12, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H5850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DEFENSE OF NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE

  (Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our 
National Missile Defense System. Last Saturday, the Ballistic Missile 
Defense Organization conducted a flight test over the Pacific. 
Unfortunately, a missile anomaly occurred which had nothing to do with 
the concept being tested. The booster simply did not separate from the 
kill vehicle and, therefore, the kill vehicle was not freed so that it 
could function.
  Opponents of a National Missile Defense System thus have no basis for 
saying we should abandon our efforts. This was only the third of 19 
planned tests. Successes and failures are to be expected as we perfect 
any defense system. This was not a concept failure.
  Mr. Speaker, developing a missile defense system is one of the most 
civilized things we can do. When deployed, and God forbid, we need to 
use it, it only protects. It protects the people we love and does not 
destroy our enemy. This is the ultimate in defense.
  Mr. Speaker, the so-called rogue nations are developing their 
capabilities to attack our people. As outlined by the Constitution, we, 
in Congress, have the obligation to provide for the defense of this 
country. We must go forward. We should not yield to political 
pressures. We must develop the National Missile Defense System.

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