[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2154-H2155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             MILITARY WEAR

  (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I understand that some Members of Congress 
are working on legislation which will tell the United States Army what 
kind of headgear to wear. I believe this action is micromanagement at 
its worst and makes Congress the fashion police.
  For those of us who have strong ties to the military community, this 
entire episode has been a whirlwind of emotions. Like most of my 
constituents, I too felt the issuance of a black beret, the modern-day 
symbol of excellence in the United States Armed Forces, to all soldiers 
was ill-advised. As I have related to senior Army officials and my 
constituents, this action is analogous to issuing a letter jacket to 
all high

[[Page H2155]]

school seniors regardless of whether they played ball or not. This 
problem has been worked out, however, by allowing the Rangers to wear a 
different color beret to distinguish their unique contribution.
  Even though I believe the Army is spending too much money on berets, 
$30 million and climbing, and even though I have problems with where 
they are made, particularly in China, although that contract has been 
canceled, I believe Congress does not have the time or the charter to 
meddle with what the Army does or does not wear. If we can trust the 
chief of staff of the Army to command our young Americans in wartime, 
certainly we can trust him to determine what kind of uniform they will 
wear.

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