[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 40 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       AMERICAN SERVICEMEMBER AND CIVILIAN PROTECTION ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``American 
Servicemember and Civilian Protection Act of 2002.''
  This bill expresses the sense of the Congress that President Bush 
should formally rescind the signature approving the International 
Criminal Court made on behalf of the United States, and should take 
necessary steps to prevent the establishment of that Court. It also 
prohibits funds made available by the United States Government from 
being used for the establishment or operation of the Court.
  Perhaps the most significant part of the bill makes clear that any 
action taken by or on behalf of the Court against members of the United 
States Armed Forces shall be considered an act of aggression against 
the United States; and that any action taken by or on behalf of the 
Court against a United States citizen or national shall be considered 
an offense against the law of nations.
  Mr. Speaker, today in New York and Rome celebrations are underway to 
mark the formal establishment of this International Criminal Court. 
Though the United States has not ratified the treaty establishing the 
Court, as required by the U.S. Constitution, this body will claim 
jurisdiction over every American citizen--military personnel and 
civilian alike.
  The Court itself, however, is an illegitimate body even by the United 
Nations' own standards. The Statute of the International Criminal Court 
was enacted by a Conference of Diplomats convened by the United Nations 
General Assembly, whereas according to the UN Charter, the authority to 
create such a body lies only in the UN Security Council.
  The International Criminal Court was established contrary to the 
American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United 
States. It puts United States citizens in jeopardy of unlawful and 
unconstitutional criminal prosecution.
  The International Criminal Court does not provide many of the 
Constitutional protections guaranteed every American citizen, including 
the right to trial by jury, the right to face your accuser, and the 
presumption of innocence, and the protection against double jeopardy.
  Members of the United States Armed Forces are particularly at risk 
for politically motivated arrests, prosecutions, fines, and 
imprisonment for acts engaged in for the protection of the United 
States. These are the same brave men and women who place their lives on 
the line to protect and defend our Constitution. Do they not deserve 
the full protections of that same Constitution?
  Mr. Speaker, I hope all members of this body will join me in opposing 
this illegitimate and illegal court by co-sponsoring the ``American 
Servicemember and Civilian Protection Act of 2002.''

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