[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 102 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 20, 2001

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the men and 
women of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization for the successful 
ballistic missile defense test that took place late Saturday night over 
the Pacific Ocean. The first success since 1999, the ballistic missile 
interceptor that shot down a dummy warhead used a ``hit to kill'' 
technology and was able to destroy its target hundreds of miles away 
from launch point. This test demonstrates our commitment to defending 
against the threat of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches and 
once again shows that this ``bullet to bullet'' method of target 
destruction is technologically feasible. Further, it justifies our need 
to continue with vigorous testing as we aggressively move forward with 
maturing our ballistic missile defense capabilities. We must continue 
to develop, test and fund missile defense technologies to create a 
defensive system to protect this nation and our allies against missile 
threats worldwide. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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