Ronald Dellums: “If we interpret an insignia as an emolument or a title, then the gentleman's argument about the Constitution would be…”

“If we interpret an insignia as an emolument or a title, then the gentleman's argument about the Constitution would be relevant and would make sense. I do not think an insignia is a bestowing of title or providing an emolument. It is simply what it is, marking an insignia. Second, both of my colleagues have raised the issue of protest and raised Rosa Parks for various obvious reasons. I am an African American here, but I do not shirk from that. There are points at which protest in this gentleman's opinion not only make sense but that laws ought to be changed in order to address the issues being raised by the protest. But there are certainly some issues raised by some protest that should not require change in law. I believe this is one of them, and I stand resolute on that point. Third, we are now talking about the final point and come to it, gentlemen from California, Ohio. In the military, my colleagues are talking about a unit of people. Now remember there are many of my colleagues in here who opposed gays in the military, as bizarre as that position is. Why did they do it? Because they think that it violates unit cohesion. Now military force is unit cohesion, and when somebody says I am not going to obey, we have got the life and safety of everyone around them depending on that level of cohesion.”