[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11113-H11114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MISSILE DEFENSE DECISIONS

  (Mr. GRIFFITH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the American 
people about the current situation in the Middle East. On September 28, 
Iran launched and tested a Shahab-3 missile which has a range of 1,200 
kilometers and puts American soldiers and our allies in the Middle East 
in danger. These tests must be met with stern opposition.
  Having recently returned from Israel and Egypt, I had the opportunity 
to meet with officials and members of the

[[Page H11114]]

defense community who are directly involved in their missile defense 
decisions. I was able to see firsthand the stability and security that 
American missile systems provide for our allies. Recently, the 
administration announced a change of plans, eliminating missile silos 
in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic, which raised concerns both 
in our missile defense community and among our international allies. 
Clearly this logic must be questioned as a successful launch of the 
long-range Shahab-3 missile shows that we must protect our allies in 
the region and, most importantly, the eastern United States.
  These Iranian tests demonstrate a need for ground-based interceptors, 
if not on Poland, then on the eastern coast of the United States. 
American safety and security is essential to our soldiers abroad and 
citizens at home. Because national defense is a nonpartisan issue, we 
in Congress will work together to make sure our decisions are well 
thought out and executed.

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