Political Quotes

“I am deeply grateful, Mr. Speaker, for the ranking minority member's words of praise, because he is among the most consistently thoughtful and serious Members of this body, and praise from him in this area means a great deal to me. I am also grateful to the two chairmen who have spoken, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], chairman of the Committee on International Relations, and the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spence], chairman of the Committee on National Security. It is appropriate that we be speaking out with virtual unanimity, certainly great consensus. We are not here debating whether or not America ought to join NATO. Indeed, in its specific form, that will not come before us. It will come before the other body as a ratification of a treaty. This House voted on a resolution, a sense of Congress, in favor of the expansion of NATO. That is not at issue. There is a large majority in favor, although some may have questions. The issue is what is an equitable sharing of the costs. I think it is important to note the history here. Fifty-two years ago, at the close of World War II, this Nation undertook as generous an approach to foreign nations as we have seen in the history of the world.”