[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BRINGING TERRORISTS TO JUSTICE

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                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I would like talk about the most 
important reason our constituents send us to Washington--to work to 
secure our Nation. Our forefathers never shirked from this 
responsibility and neither should we. Since the Supreme Court's Hamden 
decision this year it is critical that this Congress create a legal 
structure to bring terrorists to justice.
  Since September 11, 2001, our country has captured hundreds of 
members of the al-Qaeda network including masterminds of the 9/11 
attacks and others who have made it their mission in life to kill 
innocent Americans. It is critical that we continue to stay on the 
offensive in the fight against terror. Our soldiers have pushed this 
objective forward with the apprehension of these terrorists, who, with 
the passage of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, will have their 
day of justice.
  This Act ensures that terrorists have basic legal rights, including 
the right to counsel, the right to obtain evidence and witnesses, and 
the right to appeal a guilty verdict. Suspected terrorists have the 
right to be present at all legal proceedings, and no evidence may be 
presented to the jury unless it is also provided to the accused 
terrorist. This measure also reinforces our commitments under Common 
Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions that prohibit the use of torture 
contrary to the outcries of some.
  I am glad to cast my vote in support of creating a legal system that 
will bring to justice those who seek to destroy our way of life. As 
President Bush said before a joint address before Congress, ``whether 
we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, 
justice will be done.''

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