[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 7, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         KEEPING MARINES LIKE SECOND LIEUTENANT ILLARIO 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, this past Friday I had the 
pleasure of attending an American Legion fund-raiser in Wilmington, 
North Carolina, where the guest of honor was Marine Second Lieutenant 
Illario Pantano. As you know, I have spoken at great length about Lt. 
Pantano and his dedication and service to the Marine Corps and to our 
Nation.
  Friday was a day of excitement and disappointment for me. I shared in 
the joy with his family as they celebrated the dismissal of the charges 
against him. But it was also a bittersweet celebration as Lt. Pantano 
announced his resignation from the Marine Corps.
  I know the future will bring much happiness for him and his beautiful 
family, but I was saddened to think that the Marines were losing such 
an outstanding officer because of such an unfortunate situation.
  Mr. Speaker, I was overcome with emotion as Lt. Pantano gave me his 
officer's sword after he announced his resignation. I cannot bring the 
sword on the floor of the House because of the rules, which I 
understand. It is an honor I unwillingly accepted but will always 
treasure.
  As I look at the sword, I cannot help but think that this whole 
matter could have been avoided by a more thorough investigation and 
appraisal of the charges before an Article 32 hearing was held.
  All along, I had confidence that the Marine Corps would ultimately 
come to the right conclusion and exonerate Lt. Pantano of all charges, 
and, thankfully, that has indeed happened. My only hope is that, in the 
future, if any other such allegations are to come forward about another 
member of our Armed Services, a more efficient and complete 
investigation will take place before this situation ever gets to the 
seriousness of an Article 32 hearing.
  Mr. Speaker, our men and women in uniform are our Nation's defenders 
and heroes. We are blessed to have so many young, brave Americans 
willing to risk their lives in the name of freedom.
  Lt. Pantano was an outstanding leader that I would be proud to call 
my son or son-in-law.

                              {time}  1930

  I believe his resignation is a great loss for the Marine Corps and a 
great loss for America.
  Let us make sure that in the future we do not lose any more of our 
Nation's defenders the way we have lost Lieutenant Pantano.
  Mr. Speaker, I will close by asking God to bless our men and women in 
uniform, I will ask God to please bless the families of our men and 
women in uniform, and I will ask God to please bless America and the 
future of this great Nation.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield to 
the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt).
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that I am sure that the 
good lieutenant has recognized what a wonderful advocate he has had 
here on the floor of the House. I think that the gentleman should be 
commended for his perseverance, for his integrity, and for all that he 
did, not just for this particular young man, but what the gentleman 
does in terms of the moral integrity of this institution. I 
congratulate the gentleman from North Carolina.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is extremely 
kind, I thank him very much, and may God bless America.

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