[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H8846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MILITARY TRIBUNALS

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, much debate has occurred recently on 
President Bush's decision to utilize military tribunals to hold all 
terrorists responsible for their actions. I come to the floor to state 
my whole-hearted support for his decision. Let us get one thing 
straight. Terrorists do not, by definition, conduct themselves as 
lawful combatants. They began this war with us; and, consequently, they 
should be treated as war criminals if captured.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly disagree with the arguments of the other side 
that say using military tribunals would not ensure a fair trial. To the 
contrary, it allows for an appeals process through all levels of the 
military courts and ultimately to the United States Supreme Court.
  I remind my colleagues that President Bush's decision to use military 
tribunals as a means of bringing terrorists to justice has historical 
precedence dating back to Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham 
Lincoln, and even George Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, terrorists are not abiding by the rules of a civil 
society. They should be held accountable for their actions as war 
criminals.

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