[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H3168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORTING LT. 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, I have spoken at great 
lengths now about Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano, a Marine who served 
our Nation bravely in both Gulf Wars and who now stands accused of 
murder for defending himself and this country.
  Lt. Pantano's article 32 hearing ended 2 weeks ago, and now the 
investigating officer in the case, Major Mark Winn, is set to make his 
recommendation on the case to the Second Marine Division Commander, 
General Richard Huck, by Friday.
  I stand here today to represent the thousands of people who have 
joined in my hope and prayers that, on Friday, Major Winn will 
recommend that all charges be dropped against Lt. Pantano.
  Based on the facts of the case, the man who brought forth the 
allegations, Sergeant Coburn, is someone who did not see the shooting 
and who waited 2\1/2\ months to report the incident. I am convinced 
that this lieutenant should and will be exonerated of all charges.
  I know that, during the hearing, both his Marine and civilian 
attorneys did an excellent job of proving the innocence of Lt. Pantano, 
and I have the utmost confidence in the system that the truth will 
prevail.
  Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly believe that Lt. Pantano was doing his 
job when he found himself in an unfortunate situation where he needed 
to defend himself and his platoon members against the enemy.
  Having met and interacted with Lt. Pantano and his family over the 
past few months, I have had the opportunity to get to know them well. I 
am certain that the man I have come to know is not a murderer. He is a 
dedicated Marine who loves his Corps, his country and his family.
  Mr. Speaker, I put in a resolution, House Resolution 167, to support 
Lt. Pantano as he faces trial. I continue to urge my colleagues in the 
House to take some time to read my resolution and look into this 
situation for themselves.
  Lt. Pantano's mother also has a website that I encourage people to 
visit. The address is www.defendthedefenders.org. I would like to 
repeat that, www.defendthedefenders.org.
 Mr. Speaker, I close once again by asking that we do not send the 
wrong message to our men and women in uniform and cause them to second 
guess their decisions. I fear that instilling doubt into the minds of 
our Nation's defenders places their lives and the security of our 
Nation in jeopardy.
  Mr. Speaker, I close by asking God to please bless Lt. Pantano and 
his family, and hopefully, on Friday, this decision will be to 
exonerate this wonderful lieutenant who loves his country. I also ask 
God to please bless our men and women in uniform and their families. I 
close by asking God to please bless America.




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