[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E364-E365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF CONGRESS REGARDING ACCESS OF MILITARY RECRUITERS 
                  TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to raise and voice my 
concern on this

[[Page E365]]

resolution to express support for conditioning an institution of higher 
education's receipt of certain Federal funds on its actions to provide 
military recruiters with the same access to its campus and students as 
it provides to any other employer.
  I am very proud of our military and of the courage and bravery of our 
military personnel. I believe in the importance of outreach, and of the 
ability of employers to utilize the resources of our colleges and 
universities. I know that the talent found at our institutions of 
higher education across the country is important to the success of our 
defenses, and that every month many of our best and brightest make the 
decision to defend our homeland.
  I would like to caution my colleagues, however, and remind them that 
this is not a military issue. We value a higher education because of 
the learned abilities to think critically, to comprehend complex 
problems and issues, to analyze research and information, to evaluate 
the choices at hand, and to gain enough wisdom to arrive at a solution. 
I am hesitant to condition Federal funding for these institutions on a 
situation which may be their way to express a point of view and to 
disagree with the status quo.
  To be able to freely oppose the politics of any administration is a 
right given to us in our own Constitution. To be able to express these 
opinions is, again, a right given to us in our own Constitution. 
Likewise, the dignity of a military career is inherent and desirable. 
However, I have concerns about resolutions such as this that seem to 
limit the ability of one party without a perceived benefit for another.
  I urge my colleagues to consider this matter carefully, and to join 
me in celebrating both our Armed Forces and our institutions of higher 
education.

                          ____________________