Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the Cunningham- Spence amendment which will strike the language included in this bill to terminate the Selective Service System. Despite popular convention that the Selective Service System is an anachronistic vestige of days long gone, the fact remains that our nation requires an insurance policy in case of a national crisis. The Selective Service would provide manpower to the military by conducting a draft using a list of young men's names gathered through the Selective Service registration process. This process has stood the test of time and has proved its worth in times of emergency. And while the Selective Service System has been portrayed by some as an anachronistic vestige of a bygone era, the fact remains that it is a necessary component for the defense of our nation. Admittedly, the professionalization of the military has in some cases obviated the need to have a national registration system. However, should there ever be another global calamity such as the kind that occurred twice in this century, with the Selective Service System, our government would have the ready infrastructure in place to provide the necessary personnel resources to defend liberty. This safety net is provided at minimal cost to the taxpayer and is well worth the investment. I urge all my colleagues to vote for the Cunningham/Spence Amendment and restore the President's recommendation to fund the Selective Service System.”