[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL 
                               YEAR 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2014

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4435) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2015 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     such fiscal year, and for other purposes:
  Ms. VELAAZQUEZ. Madam Chair, in 2011, all of New York's Chinatown 
suffered a profound loss when Private Danny Chen died in Afghanistan. 
We did not lose this young man through combat with the enemy. Rather, 
Danny passed away after enduring horrific abuse and hazing at the hands 
of others in his unit. After months of being forced to do pushups while 
holding water in his mouth, being kicked, called racial slurs and 
having rocks thrown at him, Danny died while on guard duty.
  One of the great tragedies of this case is that Danny's superiors--
both enlisted troops and officers--were either complicit with his 
hazing or turned a blind eye, allowing his abuse to continue. We have 
to wonder, if Danny Chen had somewhere to turn whether he would still 
be alive today. If someone else in Danny's unit had been able to speak 
out--without fear of repercussions--might things have ended 
differently? Would Danny's parents, Szu Chen and Yao Ten, still have 
their son?
  Unfortunately, hazing remains too common in the military--and often 
goes unreported. By requiring every branch of the military to establish 
a tip line where these incidents could be reported, this amendment 
would help create a zero-tolerance environment for hazing. Not only 
will this provide help for the servicemember suffering abuse, but it 
can serve as a powerful deterrent. When potential bullies know 
inappropriate behavior can be anonymously and safely reported, they 
will be more cautious.
  Madam Chair, no family should have to endure what the Chens have. The 
brave men and women who serve our Nation risk everything on our behalf. 
We owe it to them to ensure they operate in a professional environment 
where everyone is afforded dignity and respect, regardless of 
background. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the amendment.

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