[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      DEPLORING ABUSE OF PERSONS IN UNITED STATES CUSTODY IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2004

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and good 
friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding me this time. At 
seven in the morning today, he and I, and the other members of the 
Committee on Rules, met to discuss this resolution.
  Once again, the Republican majority has determined to use the 
Committee on Rules to frustrate the democratic procedures.
  Once again. the Republican Party has stifled debate and offered a 
closed rule.
  As America commits itself to promoting Democracy in Iraq, the 
Republican majority in the House of Representatives, for partisan 
purposes, refused to allow an open debate on this most important issue.
  It is as if the Republican majority starts and ends every 
Congressional session, which is broadcast live by C-SPAN, by saying, 
``Please do not try this at home.'' Today, again, they set exactly the 
wrong example of how to proceed democratically.
  I condemn these horrible acts, and would have supported a resolution 
that properly and sincerely addressed the horrors that took place in 
Iraq. I believe that such a resolution could have come to the House 
floor under unanimous consent, and would have enjoyed full bipartisan 
support.
  Now, it is important for us to recognize that the American military 
has no peers. It is also important for us to recognize that the 
absolute, overwhelming, great majority of the men and women in the 
military are not the kind of people that are now being investigated, 
and are not the kind of people that would commit these abuses.
  I, for once, will not allow the offensive acts of a few to stain the 
service of more than 300,000 American men and women who have risked 
their lives for freedom. Our military has worked too hard and 
accomplished too much to be stained by the actions of a few.

  That said, in a society committed to civil and human rights like 
ours, there is no place for the sorts of atrocities that occurred in 
Iraq. No American would allow for this kind of conduct. Everyone feels 
awful that this occurred and deplores the abuses of persons in 
America's custody in Iraq.
  However, this resolution does not say what I think it should say. It 
condemns the abuse, but presents unacceptable omissions and inexcusable 
political provisions. Therefore, the resolution needs to be amended.
  First, I would have supported a resolution that condemned the abuses 
and sought accountability because I believe this to be a time for 
remorse and self-criticism.
  We are a Nation used to pointing the finger elsewhere; now, the 
fingers of the international public are pointing--rightfully so--back 
at us. Therefore, we must harshly and steadfastly deal with these 
atrocities and hold responsible all those that have contributed to the 
abuses. I trust that we can do this together with our friends and 
allies, taking advantage of such international organizations as the 
United Nations and the Organization for Cooperation and Security in 
Europe that have experience and knowledge on how to fight and prevent 
human rights violations worldwide.
  But, this resolution instead tries to change the subject and avoid 
the problems by bragging about the removal of Saddam Hussein. This is 
not a time to spin the bad news or play politics. And, this resolution 
is not the proper place to defend the mistaken decision of going to war 
in Iraq. I refuse to belatedly vote for the war in Iraq under the guise 
of a dishonest and untruthful title.
  Second, I would have supported a resolution that made accountable all 
those whom, regardless of rank or party loyalty, contributed to a 
culture that condones human rights abuses. Ultimately, what happened in 
Iraq and its aftermath has been a failure of leadership of the 
Commander in Chief, and a failure of leadership of the Department of 
Defense from Secretary Rumsfeld, and the resolution should have pointed 
this out.
  More courageous leaders would have recognized their responsibility, 
faced up to the situation, and said, ``the buck stops here.'' But, 
instead, those in the Bush Administration failed to do their jobs and 
give straight answers. And, the resolution of the Republican 
Congressional majority has been drafted to absolve the leadership of 
any blame.
  We must take a good and hard look at the Bush Administration. I trust 
that justice and accountability will come for those who perpetrated 
abuse of Iraqi detainees, and those in the chain of command who failed 
to act upon learning of these appalling acts.
  Third, I would have supported a resolution that loudly and strongly 
decried the fact that for too long the information regarding the abuses 
in Iraqi prisons was in the hands of military higher-ups who did not 
deem the oversight responsibilities of Congress important enough for 
them to bring the matter forward. Congress was not notified of the 
problems at Abu Ghraib prison, even though the Department of Defense 
had a report outlining the conditions there at least 3 months ago.
  To conclude, it is unfortunate that this matter does not come to the 
floor under unanimous consent. It does have, as I pointed out this 
morning, a few flaws that could easily have been corrected had the 
majority determined that it was proper to do so.
  I take this opportunity to apologize not only to the detainees but 
also to all others who likely feel that America has lost its moral 
authority.
  Had this resolution been true to its title, ``Deploring the Abuse of 
Persons in United States Custody in Iraq,'' I would vote in favor of 
it. However, for the above-mentioned reasons, I cannot support the 
legislation in question. I will vote nay as a patriot, and a human 
rights defender.
  I oppose this resolution in its present form.

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