Sam Gibbons: “as a former Air Force pilot and veteran, I have a special sensitivity and permanent appreciation for the needs and…”

“as a former Air Force pilot and veteran, I have a special sensitivity and permanent appreciation for the needs and concerns of our Nation's military. It seems obvious to me and to the men and women who serve in our military forces that I have spoken with that the Clinton-Gore administration has put our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines in danger by continually asking the military to do more and more with less and less. Over the past 8 years, President Clinton has requested drastic cuts in military spending and yet continues to send our troops all over the world. As Commander in Chief, President Clinton has deployed U.S. forces 34 times, while cutting troop strength by 40 percent. During the previous 40 years throughout the Cold War and prior to the Clinton administration, our military forces were only deployed 10 times. Madam Speaker, our military should not become the world's policeman. I am proud that this Republican Congress realizes the importance of maintaining a strong national defense and that our military serves the United States first and the rest of the world second.”