John Kline: “while the men and women of our armed forces serve bravely throughout the world, the ability of our U.S. military to…”

“while the men and women of our armed forces serve bravely throughout the world, the ability of our U.S. military to recruit highly qualified candidates is being put in jeopardy. Former Commandant of the Marine Corps General Charles Krulak once remarked that our all-volunteer military is an all-recruited force. The amendment offered today by my colleague from California is a clear threat to the continued success of that force. This amendment would prohibit the Department of Education from withholding Title I dollars from school districts that do not provide private student information to military recruiters. Under the guise of ``privacy rights,'' our military recruiters would be denied the same access to our nation's best young minds that is regularly provided to recruiters for colleges or businesses. Mr. Chairman, military service can be a noble and fulfilling choice for our young men and women--including my son, a career Army officer. Planning for the future can be an overwhelming experience. As they consider their postsecondary options, our nation's students deserve to be fully equipped with the information they need to make good decisions. While only a select few individuals choose to devote themselves to a career in military service, the defense of America is not their exclusive responsibility. Each one of us is charged with protecting our nation by doing our part.…”