[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1258-S1259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORT FOR THE DEFENDERS OF OUR NATION

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, on July 27, 1920, in a speech before 
the Republican national convention in Chicago accepting his party's 
nomination for Vice President, Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge 
exclaimed, ``The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself 
forgotten.'' With these striking words, Coolidge chastened the 
convention delegates to never take lightly the sacrifice of American 
soldiers, who during World War I, left freedom's shores to defend 
democracy abroad. Back then, Coolidge recognized that a great country 
must honor its guardians, lest it be forgotten.
  This week, President George W. Bush has come forward under the same 
banner as Coolidge did in 1920, to declare that America must not forget 
its defenders. In a speech before the brave men and women of the United 
States Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart Georgia, President 
Bush proposed $5.7 billion in new spending for the soldiers, sailors 
and airmen of the Armed Forces. Specifically, the President has 
proposed dedicating $400 million for across-the-board pay raises, $1

[[Page S1259]]

billion for re-enlistment bonuses, $3.9 billion for improving military 
health benefits, and $400 million to improve military housing. I 
applaud the President on this brave and honorable proposal.
  I find it appalling that before the President announced this proposal 
many were criticizing his decision to temporarily freeze program 
spending at last year's appropriated levels. When the President ordered 
the Secretary of Defense to conduct a thorough review of Pentagon 
weapons programs before proceeding with any requests for supplemental 
funds, he was attacked in the press for breaking his campaign promise 
to ``bolster our national defense.'' I find such assertions to be not 
only mean-spirited, but also misguided.
  Make no mistake, newer and better weapons systems are crucial toward 
maintaining our national defense. We live in a world where we face real 
and present hostilities. Rogue nations are becoming increasingly 
capable of striking America's shores, and I look forward to the debate 
we will have in the Senate this year about building ballistic missile 
defense systems, and other ``next generation'' weapons to counter these 
terrors. However, I fully realize that without qualified men and women 
trained in the use and support of these systems, we are merely left 
with empty threats to counter these real hostilities.
  Human beings are the driving force behind our national security. 
Tanks, ships, and fighter jets do not win wars. Soldiers, sailors, and 
airmen do. Arlington does not honor the memory of our greatest weapons. 
Those hallowed grounds are sacred to the memory of the men and women 
who have laid down their lives using and supporting those weapons. 
Concern for the individuals who proudly serve our Nation as soldiers 
should always be our first priority when we debate our national defense 
policies. By proceeding first to the need of the soldiers ahead of the 
need for new weapons, President Bush has demonstrated he has his 
priorities straight and I pledge my support for his proposal in the 
U.S. Senate.
  The bond between a soldier and his nation must be reciprocal. The 
United States must rely on soldiers to defend against her enemies, and, 
for over 225 years, these soldiers have never failed. However, we do 
not always recognize the fact that the favor often goes unreturned. Far 
too often throughout our history the United States has relied on the 
defense of the soldier, while failing, in turn, to defend the soldier 
against their own enemies.
  The enemies of our soldiers are low pay, substandard housing, and 
second class health benefits. No one would deny that all of our 
citizens are in perpetual need of a good wage, a good home, and good 
health care, and yet, we often act as if our soldiers are in need of 
less. Addressing the New York State Legislature in 1775, General George 
Washington reminded the legislators, ``When we assumed the Soldier, we 
did not lay aside the Citizen.'' Our citizens, on becoming soldiers, 
have not left want and need behind. It is our duty to afford them with 
means to not only survive, but to also thrive. We can afford no less. 
Freedom is never free.
  Mr. President, again, I commend President Bush for coming forward and 
declaring the need to support the defenders of the Nation. Again, this 
week, President George Bush came forward under the same banner as 
Calvin Coolidge did in 1920, to declare that America must not forget 
its defenders. In a speech given to the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at 
Fort Stewart, GA, President Bush proposed $5.7 billion in new spending 
for the soldiers, sailors, and airmen in the armed services. 
Specifically, the President has proposed dedicating $400 million for 
across-the-board pay raises, $1 billion for reenlistment bonuses, and 
other benefits to the men and women in uniform.
  I end my comments by saying that this is long overdue. We have 
several military installations in Kansas. We, unfortunately, have 
people in our armed forces who are not well paid and not paid near 
enough for the job they are doing. It is past time for us to step 
forward and pay our men and women in uniform sufficiently for the work 
they do.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brownback). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I wonder if you would be so kind as to 
tell me when I am down to 5 minutes remaining in my 25 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair will do so.

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