Political Quotes

“I come before you today to bring to your attention a disturbing pattern of conduct that has taken place in the United States Navy. My constituent, Lt. Commander Sheryl Washington, who is in the gallery, is a victim of an effort by the U.S. Navy to stifle the voices of those who dare to bring to the surface the maltreatment of those who serve our Nation. Lt. Commander Washington is an 18-year veteran of the Navy. She has been brought up on charges and an administrative separation proceeding because she supposedly refused to appear for duty. Such administrative proceedings are used to remove persons from military service. Lt. Commander Washington was absent from duty because she was convalescing following a serious automobile accident. Her commander claims she did not contact him during this time. However, Lt. Commander Washington has phone records which clearly disprove this charge. Lt. Commander Washington was found to be medically disabled by both military and civilian physicians. In total, Lt. Commander Washington was absent for about 3 weeks, from November 12, 1996, to December 2, 1996. She was excused from duty by the military physician from November 15 through the 22nd, as well as November 27th through December 2nd. Ironically, it is this excused period of time that is the basis of the action taken against her, as opposed to the entire 3 weeks of her absence.”