Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 6649, the Naval Transfer Act of 2012, as amended. According to the Secretary of the Navy, authority to transfer surplus vessels is an important element of the U.S. strategy for decommissioned ships. It enables our Navy to manage its inventory while strengthening ties with our key security partners and with allies by transferring ships that meet key operational requirements. This legislation authorizes the transfer of 10 decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigates to Mexico, to Thailand, to Turkey and Taiwan. Six of the 10 vessels would be authorized for transfer on a grant basis as excess defense articles under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act. Mexico, Thailand, and Turkey would each receive two frigates. With respect to Turkey, I remain greatly concerned with the deterioration in that country's relations with, and policy toward, the democratic Jewish state and our ally, the State of Israel. {time} 1310 Since the 2010 flotilla incident--a crisis on the high seas that triggered a tailspin in Turkish-Israeli relations--we have witnessed a Turkey that is increasingly hostile toward Israel. From its recall of its Ambassador to Israel, its attempts to marginalize Israel in other international fora, and its continued occupation of Cyprus to the embrace of the Muslim Brotherhood and its offshoots, current Turkish policy is unacceptable.…”