[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SENATOR KERRY HAS THE SUPPORT OF VETERANS

  (Mr. SMITH of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, throughout this Presidential 
campaign, we have heard from the Republicans repeatedly that they will 
not question Senator Kerry's patriotism. We all figured that was an 
empty promise, but it has been proven true in the well of this House 
this morning.
  Several Republican Members came up and directly called into question 
Senator Kerry's patriotism based on his objections to the Vietnam War. 
And beyond that, we have even heard Republicans out on the airwaves 
questioning his service in Vietnam.
  I do feel that there are many more important issues in this campaign 
that are legitimate to talk about. Senator Kerry has unbelievable 
support from veterans in this country. All 50 States have veterans for 
Kerry organizations that are strong and hard-working to support the 
Senator and, perhaps most tellingly, are the people who served with him 
in Vietnam. All of those people are supporting Senator Kerry regardless 
of their political stripes. Many are taking large chunks of personal 
time to go around and be supportive of him.
  His record in Vietnam and his record afterwards should not be 
questioned, and it is being questioned by the Republicans. I think 
Senator McCain said it best some time ago when asked about this and 
asked about Senator Kerry's protest against the war. He said that 
Senator Kerry's service in Vietnam fighting for our country more than 
gave him the right to protest the war if he thought it was wrong.
  Senator Kerry honorably served this country in Vietnam, volunteered 
to serve, volunteered for combat duty, and he honorably upheld the 
traditions of this country when he came home and pursued his personal 
convictions to oppose the war. We should recognize that service.

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