[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 7308]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN SUPPORT OF LIEUTENANT 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, I am here tonight to once 
again ask for my colleagues to support Second Lieutenant Ilario 
Pantano, a Marine who has served our Nation bravely in both Gulf Wars 
and who now stands accused of murder for defending himself and his 
country.
  During his service in Iraq last year, Lieutenant Pantano was faced 
with a very difficult situation that caused him to make a split-second 
decision to defend his life. He felt threatened by the actions of two 
insurgents under his watch; and in an act of self-defense, he had to 
resort to force.
  Two and a half months later, a sergeant under his command who never 
even saw the shooting accused him of murder. Mr. Speaker, next month, 
April 25, there will be an Article 32 hearing to determine whether or 
not Lieutenant Pantano will face a court martial for murder. If 
convicted by a court martial, Lieutenant Pantano can be subject to the 
death penalty for an action that he took in self-defense on the 
battlefield.
  Mr. Speaker, what is happening to this young man is an injustice. 
Over the past couple of weeks I have stood here in this very spot 
quoting those who support him and his fight for justice.
  In his fitness report months after the alleged crime took place, his 
superiors praised his leadership and talents and even suggested that he 
was worthy of promotion.
  Respected journalists, from Mona Charen to the Washington Times 
editorial board, have defended him as an upstanding citizen and Marine. 
Veterans and fellow Marines from across this Nation have heard his 
story and have been outraged by the charge against him. They believe, 
as I do, that to put doubt in the minds of our soldiers is to condemn 
them to death.
  Mr. Speaker, I have put in a resolution, House Resolution 167, to 
support Lieutenant Pantano as he faces these allegations. I hope that 
my colleagues in the House will take the time to read my resolution and 
look into this situation for themselves.
  Lieutenant Pantano's mother has a Web site that I also encouraged 
people to visit. The address is defendthedefenders.org. I hope and pray 
that when Lieutenant Pantano faces his Article 32 hearing next Monday, 
he will be exonerated of all charges.
  Our Marines, soldiers, airmen and sailors risk their lives to protect 
our freedoms. Having them second-guess their actions in war is 
dangerous for their safety and for our national security.
  Lieutenant Pantano stood by his corps and his country through two 
wars. He left a loving family and a 6-figure salary to reenlist after 
September the 11th. I ask that we now stand by him as he faces this 
battle for his life.
  Mr. Speaker, with that I will close by saying, may God please bless 
our men and women in uniform and their families. And please, God, be 
with Lieutenant Pantano and his family. And I ask God to please bless 
America.

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