Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Dellums amendment to eliminate the peacetime registration in the Selective Service System. President Clinton has sent a strong letter to every Member of the House of Representatives. I would like to quote from that letter. The President said: ``I have decided that it is essential to our national security to continue draft registration and the Selective Service System.'' Then the President further says: ``This is a low-cost insurance policy against our underestimating the maximum level of threat we expect our Armed Forces to face.'' Further quoting from the letter, the President said: ``Terminating the Selective Service and draft registration now could send the wrong signal to our potential enemies who are watching for signs of U.S. weakness.'' Mr. Chairman, I point out that this is a strong letter from the President of the United States. He is our Commander in Chief. He is over the military, and he says that he needs the registration, he needs to have the system in place. Registration is quick and easy. The compliance rate of our young people has been 98 to 99 percent. The young people are not complaining. The 18-year-old men are going to register. The problem seems to be right here in Congress.”