Political Quotes

“this body has few greater responsibilities than maintaining the effectiveness and accountability of our Nation's Armed Forces. This is one of the reasons that reports of widespread sexual harassment in our Nation's military deeply concerns us all. With Department of Defense statistics showing that sexual harassment is prevalent throughout the Armed Forces--we must do more than pay lip service to the problem. Mr. President, we must act. Today, with a full understanding that the time has come for serious action that is responsible and constructive, a provision that I authored was added to the 1998 defense authorization bill that will place us on the road to solving the crisis of sexual harassment. The legislation attacks the root of the problem--the lack of accountability when it comes to reporting and investigating incidents of sexual harassment. The Department of Defense conducted a survey in 1988 and found that 64 percent of women reported that they had experienced one or more incidents of sexual harassment in the 12 months preceding the survey. The Defense Department conducted another study in 1995 and found that the figure had only improved to 55 percent. I feel very strongly, Mr. President, that this is not progress. When I look at those statistics, I am shocked. On top of this, I have read in DOD statements that many cases of sexual harassment go unreported.”