[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 58 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H3033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN SUPPORT OF LIEUTENANT PANTANO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Saturday was the final day 
of the Article 32 hearing for a Marine facing murder charges for 
actions he took against Iraqi insurgents in self-defense.
  As I have discussed at length, a year ago in Iraq, Second Lieutenant 
Ilario Pantano made a split-second battlefield decision to shoot two 
Iraqi insurgents who refused to follow his orders to stop their 
movement towards him. Two and a half months later, a sergeant under his 
command, who never even saw the shooting and who was earlier demoted by 
Pantano for his lack of leadership abilities, accused him of murder. 
Now the case is in the hands of a hearing officer who must determine 
whether Lieutenant Pantano will face a court-martial.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand here today, as I have many other nights and 
days, in support of Lieutenant Pantano. I have always maintained the 
innocence of Lieutenant Pantano, and I believe last week's hearings 
produced information that will ultimately prove his innocence. During 
the hearing, it became clear that the sergeant who accused Lieutenant 
Pantano of these actions was not a credible witness. This sergeant had 
been demoted for his inaccuracies as a leader. While testifying last 
week, he was forced to admit that he disobeyed recent orders not to 
grant interviews regarding this case.
  Mr. Speaker, how can these charges move forward when this primary 
witness is someone who did not actually see the shooting and who cannot 
stick to one story about the series of events that took place?
  I continue to maintain that Lieutenant Pantano is an exceptional 
Marine. During last week's proceedings, many Marines and sailors 
testified to his outstanding leadership; and not one person, aside from 
Sergeant Coburn, doubted the lieutenant's decision-making ability. I 
certainly hope that last week's proceedings will finally bring out the 
truth in this case.
  General Huck has the ultimate say in whether these charges move 
forward to a court-martial. General Huck will evaluate the evidence 
that has been presented in this case. I believe the evidence will 
justify the immediate dismissal of all charges against Lieutenant 
Pantano so that he may return to duty and serve the corps and the 
country he loves so deeply.
  Mr. Speaker, I continue to ask my colleagues to research this case 
and consider supporting House Resolution 167, my resolution to support 
Lieutenant Pantano as he faces this battle. I encourage all Members to 
visit his mother's Web site, www.defendthedefenders.org, and learn more 
about this fine young man. I would be proud to call him my son or my 
son-in-law.
  We cannot send the wrong message to our men and women in uniform. To 
instill doubt into the minds of our Nation's defenders places their 
lives and the security of our Nation in jeopardy.
  In conclusion, I want to briefly mention another Marine who was 
facing similar murder charges for actions he took in Iraq that were 
actually on videotape. Yesterday he was cleared of wrongdoing after the 
Naval Criminal Investigative Service determined that he acted in self-
defense. In a statement, Major General Richard Natonski, the commanding 
general of the First Marine Division, said the Marine's actions were 
``consistent with the established rules of engagement and the law of 
armed conflict.'' Mr. Speaker, I hope that this Marine's case will 
serve as a precedent for the hearing officer reviewing Lieutenant 
Pantano's case, where there is not only no video evidence, there is not 
even one eyewitness.
  I have the utmost faith and confidence in the United States Marine 
Corps that in the next few days there will once again be a decision 
made that will correct a wrong and allow Lieutenant Pantano to continue 
with his career.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an endorsement of House 
Resolution 167 by the Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Incorporated, Los 
Angeles, California, that asks President Bush, the House, and the 
Senate to please support H. Res. 167.
  I close by asking the good Lord to please give strength to the 
Pantano family, that the good Lord be with our men and women in 
uniform, and may God continue to bless America.

                                                   Association for


                            Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Inc.,

                          Los Angeles, California, April 14, 2005.
     Re Endorsement of House Resolution 167.

     Hon. George W. Bush,
     President of the United States,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear President Bush: As members of the Board of Directors 
     of an organization that represents approximately 7000 sworn 
     Deputy Sheriffs and District Attorney Investigators, we know 
     firsthand just how difficult it is for those engaged in 
     military or law enforcement service to protect the public as 
     well as maintain their own safety. We also recognize that the 
     public is frequently unaware of the extreme difficulty placed 
     upon those who serve in military or para-military 
     organizations which often requires that irreversible, life 
     and death decisions be made within fractions of a second.
       We are certain that you are fully knowledgeable of the 
     incident that gave rise to House Resolution 167 as well as 
     the circumstances that propelled this matter into the public 
     spotlight. We are also familiar with your unflagging record 
     of support and respect for the men and women in uniform that 
     proudly serve this great nation. Certainly, no one is better 
     acquainted with their heroic exploits and the extreme 
     difficulty in which they have been placed than the President 
     of the United States.
       Therefore, in keeping with House Resolution 167, we 
     respectfully request that you employ your power as Commander 
     in Chief to cause all charges against Second Lieutenant 
     Ilario Pantano to be dismissed.
       If there is anything that you believe that this Association 
     can do to assist in this matter, please let us know.
           Sincerely,
     Roy Burns,
       President.
     Steve Remige,
       Vice President.
     Armando Macias,
       Secretary.
     Floyd Hayhurst,
       Treasurer.
     Robert Connor,
       Director.
     George Hofstetter,
       Director.
     Brian Rogge,
       Director.

       

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