[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13843-13844]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH

  (Mr. MILLER of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on America's birthday, North 
Korean leader Kim Jong Il thought it was wise to fire six ballistic 
missiles. The international community condemned these launches, and Kim 
Jong Il responded by firing an additional missile on July 5.
  Having been to North Korea in 2003, I can tell you that their 
government does nothing for its people and uses

[[Page 13844]]

blackmail as its primary foreign policy tool. Kim Jong Il and some of 
our opponents on the other side of the aisle believe that if North 
Korea fires missiles that it should be rewarded with direct talks and 
various forms of assistance. I don't believe in blackmail or rewarding 
bad behavior.
  As President Bush has said recently about Kim Jong Il, he can 
verifiably get rid of his weapons programs, stop testing rockets, and 
there is a way forward to help his people. The choice is his to make.
  Our military and intelligence professionals, along with our allies in 
this region, will continue to keep a close watch on North Korea. I have 
confidence in their abilities.
  But let us not forget the 37,000 servicemembers and their families 
currently stationed in South Korea. I thank them for what they do and 
wish them continued safety in such close proximity to a despotic and 
unstable self-appointed leader.

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