[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9103-9104]
[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 have discussed at length 
how, a year ago in Iraq, a Marine second lieutenant, Ilario Pantano, 
made a split-second battlefield decision to shoot two Iraqi insurgents 
who refused to follow his orders to stop their movement toward him.

[[Page 9104]]

  Two and a half months later a sergeant under his command, who never 
even saw the shooting and who was earlier demoted by Pantano for his 
lack of leadership abilities, accused him of murder. Now Lieutenant 
Pantano is facing a possible court-martial for two premeditated 
murders, a charge that can be punished by death.
  Two weeks ago, the Marines held an article 32 hearing on the case. 
Now the hearing officer has received an extension until Friday to 
determine his recommendation about whether this should move forward to 
a court-martial.

                              {time}  1930

  Mr. Speaker, I stand here tonight, as I have many other nights, in 
support of Lieutenant Pantano. I have always maintained the innocence 
of Lieutenant Pantano, and I believe the hearing produced information 
that should conclusively prove his innocence.
  During the hearing, it became clear that Sergeant Coburn, who accused 
Lieutenant Pantano of these actions, was not a credible witness. This 
sergeant has been demoted for his lack of leadership; and even while 
testifying, he was forced to admit that he recently disobeyed orders 
about publicly discussing this case. News reports from hearings 
recounted that during his testimony, Sergeant Coburn said ``I don't 
know'' or ``I can't remember'' over 50 times. It is inconceivable to me 
that these charges can move forward when the primary witness is someone 
who did not actually see the shooting and whose testimony was riddled 
with contradictory statements.
  Mr. Speaker, I have heard from so many people across this Nation who 
want this Marine exonerated. Like me, they believe he should never have 
been charged in the first place.
  I have the utmost confidence and faith in the United States Marine 
Corps that in the next few days they will do what is the right thing by 
correcting this mistake and dismissing all charges against Lieutenant 
Pantano. I fear that if Lieutenant Pantano faces a court-martial for 
his actions, there may come a time when some other Marine, soldier, 
sailor, or airman will pause to second guess his or her decision and 
those few seconds may mean the difference between life and death for 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot send the wrong message to our men and women in 
uniform. To instill doubt into the minds of our Nation's defenders 
places their lives and the security of our Nation in jeopardy.
  I certainly hope that the Article 32 proceedings will finally bring 
out the truth in this case and bring closure to Lieutenant Pantano's 
family so that they may move forward with their lives.
  By all accounts Lieutenant Pantano was an exceptional Marine. During 
the Article 32 hearing, many of those who served under him testified to 
his leadership ability and their sense of comfort and safety under his 
command. I pray that this week the hearing officer will recommend 
dismissal of all charges so that Marines can welcome back one of their 
finest officers and so Lieutenant Pantano may return to the Corps he 
loves so much.
  Mr. Speaker, I continue to ask my colleagues to research this case 
and consider supporting House Resolution 167, my resolution to support 
Lieutenant Pantano as he faces this battle. And I encourage all of the 
Members to also visit his mother's Web site at 
www.defendthedefenders.org. I repeat: www.defendthedefenders.org, and 
learn more about this fine young Marine. I would be proud to call him 
my son or son-in-law.
  I close, Mr. Speaker, by asking God to please bless the Pantano 
family and ask God to please bless all of our men and women in uniform 
and their families. And I ask God to please continue to bless America.

                          ____________________