[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 35 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H1277-H1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1445
DEMOCRATIC LEADER SHOULD APOLOGIZE FOR INSULTING NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bradley of New Hampshire). Under a 
previous order of the House, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Wilson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am profoundly 
disappointed in some of the rhetoric from Democrats in this election 
year debate. As we have all heard a few weeks ago, Terry McAullife, the 
chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said that President Bush 
had served in the National Guard but, quote, ``never served in our 
military and our country,'' end of quote.
  This is a double slander of the President and the National Guard. To 
imply that the National Guard is not a military service, Chairman 
McAullife dismisses the sacrifices of tens of thousands of National 
Guardsmen and women presently serving, and is a slap to the face of 
their service and their families.
  As a retired National Guard member myself with 31 years service, with 
two sons in the Guard, one of whom was deployed to Iraq this week, 
America deserves an apology and the Democrats should find better 
leadership.

[[Page H1278]]

  Terry McAullife's comments were wrong and they were offensive to me, 
my family, to the thousands of South Carolina National Guard members 
fighting in the war on terrorism today. Apparently Chairman McAullife 
is unaware of the distinguished history of the National Guard, which is 
America's oldest military service.
  The South Carolina National Guard dates back over 300 years to 1670 
when colonists united to defend their homeland against Spanish 
invasion. In fact, the valor of those early guardsmen has been 
enshrined in the South Carolina State flag when they defended the 
Carolina coast with a fort built of palmetto trees during the 
Revolutionary War.
  Perhaps Mr. McAullife is simply unaware that guardsmen fought on the 
front lines of World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the war in 
Vietnam, the Korean War, the Gulf War, and now the war on terrorism. 
And on the morning of September 11, when we were not sure how many 
planes had been hijacked or how many sites had been targeted, the 
President ordered the Air National Guard to fly combat patrols over 
Washington, D.C. and New York.
  Thank you to the Guard's 119th Fighter Wing whose F-16s defended the 
skies over Washington that morning and to the Air National Guard 102nd 
Fighter Wing whose F-15s rose to the defense of New York City. At a 
time of great peril and uncertainty they were America's first line of 
defense and we will never forget it.
  Right now there are more than 193,000 National Guard members and 
reservists currently serving our country in the war on terror. They are 
steadfast servants to our country, who have given up their own civilian 
occupations and left their homes and families to ensure liberty for 
others. Some of these men and women are on the front lines who serve as 
the wedge between terrorism and freedom. They are serving our country.
  I find Chairman McAuliffe's characterization insulting and demeaning. 
Terry McAuliffe disgraces himself and insults the National Guard by 
saying it is not military service. 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.
  Chairman McAuliffe has a right to speak freely. But it is shameful 
that in one statement he dishonors some of America's bravest service 
members.
  Chairman McAullife's comments represent the worst of election year 
politics. President Bush has been talking about the issues that matter 
to Americans: strong national defense, tax relief to promote job 
creation, and quality education for our children. Yet the Democratic 
leader has chosen to engage in personal partisan attacks and reckless 
comments that insult our men and women in uniform and the families 
supporting them.
  It is a sad day for the Democratic Party whose leader publicly 
denounces, degrades, and dishonors a fighting force that at that moment 
is fighting for freedom and democracy and have devoted their lives to 
fighting terrorists around the world.
  It is a time for truth. It is a time to raise the level of public 
debate in this country. It is a time for accountability. It is a time 
for honesty. It is past time for an apology, and it is time for the 
Democratic Party to find new leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to offer, again, God bless 
our troops. We will never forget September 11.

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