[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             NATIONAL GUARD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, we hear many outrageous claims and public 
discourse today on the floor of this House and outside of this House, 
and the integrity of the President of the United States is impugned 
over and over again, and we simply do not have time to address all of 
those issues; but today I rise to address an unacceptable offense 
against the men and women of our National Guard and the Commander in 
Chief-of-the United States military.
  As my colleagues may know, Mr. Speaker, last month the chairman of 
the Democratic National Committee, Mr. Terry McAuliffe, attacked 
President Bush by claiming he was AWOL, AWOL from the Alabama National 
Guard. He also cheapened the service of the men and women of the 
National Guard by saying that President Bush, as a member of the Guard, 
never served in our military.
  In the time that has passed since Mr. McAuliffe made his unfounded 
charge, the President has produced military records which reflect his 
service and honorable discharge in the National Guard.
  Mr. Speaker, the President has had the opportunity to exonerate 
himself; and I believe the men and women who have served their country, 
our country, as members of the National Guard deserve to be exonerated 
as well. Mr. McAuliffe's comments discredit, discredit the sacrifices 
of tens of thousands of National Guardsmen and -women and is a slap in 
the face to their service, to their families.
  I believe the men and women of our National Guard serving this very 
moment in Afghanistan, Iraq and throughout the globe, including many 
Minnesotans serving in Bosnia, would disagree with the sentiment that 
they are not serving their country. More than 193,000 National Guards 
members and Reservists are currently serving in the war on terror, and 
over 129,000 are overseas.
  While in Iraq last fall, I had the good fortune to spend time with 
members of the Minnesota National Guard who provided transportation in 
and out of Baghdad, and I would say it was the best transportation in 
and out of Baghdad. These men and women are steadfast servants of our 
military and our country who have given up their own freedom to ensure 
liberty for others. Whether on the front lines or serving in support 
roles, these brave Americans are the difference between terrorism and 
freedom. If that is not service to our country, Mr. Speaker, I do not 
know what is.
  This week, yet another National Guard unit from Minnesota will depart 
to serve our country, another National Guard unit will depart to serve 
our country; and I challenge anyone to question the sacrifice of these 
Guardsmen and -women and the families they are leaving behind.
  As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I take offense to Mr. 
McAuliffe's demeaning the characterization of our National Guard. His 
baseless insinuation diminishes the National Guard as an institution, 
and he owes an apology to the Guardsmen and -women in uniform serving 
our country and protecting their fellow Americans.
  Mr. McAuliffe's comments represent the worst of election-year 
politics. It is deplorable for anyone, much less the leader of a 
national party, to denounce, degrade, and dishonor a fighting force 
that is at this moment fighting for freedom and democracy around the 
world.
  I would like to take this opportunity to commend the men and women of 
our National Guard and say thank you. We love you; we are with you.

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