Political Quotes

“please put me down as one of a substantial number of Republicans who applaud the decision of President Bush to discontinue our Naval training on the island of Vieques. As Secretary England pointed out last week, this decision is the best way to decompress a highly charged situation which was clouding other issues between Puerto Rico and the mainland. The Bush administration has made it clear that, while providing effective training for Naval forces is our first priority, alternative sites already exist and other ranges can and will be found. I hope this can be done before May 2003. To those who decry the "political" nature of this action, I invite them to go to Puerto Rico, listen to the people and gauge the depth of their intensity and ask this: Does anyone realistically believe it is in our national interest to disregard, year after year, the overwhelming popular will of our United States citizens on Puerto Rico? The President's decision will be shown to be wise and insightful.”