John Bel Edwards: “it is the passionate and sincere leadership of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) that has forced the…”

“it is the passionate and sincere leadership of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) that has forced the Pentagon and the Army to seriously rethink their approach to military and Democratic education for Latin America. However, I would hope that this House would respect the bipartisan plan that has been written into this bill to close the School of the Americas and to open a new institute, a Defense Institute for Hemispheric Security Cooperation. This is why I must oppose the Moakley amendment. The Institute's management would be significantly different from the management of the School of the Americas in several ways. First, it would be under the direct control of the Secretary of Defense, not the Secretary of the Army. Second, Congress would have a direct oversight role at the Institute. Surely, even the cynics among us can trust the Congress not to endorse, year by year, terrorist training in Latin America. Thirdly, a statutory board of visitors would be created with recommendations of House and Senate leaders from both parties, and with leaders from academic, human rights and religious organizations. Fourth, the law would require the institute to teach human rights, due process, rule of law, and civilian control of the military. That is good for Latin America and for the United States. And, fifth, the bill requires an annual report to Congress on the institute's education and training program.”