Jun 11, 2025
When the National Guard opened up on students and killed students, partly because they weren't trained, they panicked.
Chuck Hagel
The Public Record
Chuck Hagel is a former United States Senator from Nebraska, serving from 1997 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Hagel was known for his independent stance on various issues, including foreign policy and military matters. He served as the Secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2015, where he focused on military budget cuts and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Hagel has been an advocate for a pragmatic approach to international relations and has often emphasized the importance of diplomacy.
Most widely reported
by number of sources- I rise to express my sympathy over the loss of Christopher Swisher, a fellow Nebraskan and staff sergeant in the United States Army. Sergeant Swisher was killed last week when his squadron was attacked while on a mission in Baghdad, Iraq. He was 26 years old. Sergeant Swisher was one of thousands of brave American servicemen and women fighting in Iraq. Our soldiers confront danger every day--their tremendous risks and sacrifices must never be taken for granted. A Lincoln native, Sergeant Swisher was a dedicated soldier who was committed to his family and country. His life-long interest in the military led him to overcome a learning disability and embark on a successful career in the Army. On the frontlines of the war in Iraq, Sergeant Swisher demonstrated the courage of a leader and an American hero. Before his deployment, Sergeant Swisher told his mother, Sharon; "I'm doing what I want to be doing because I'm protecting my family, my home, and my country." In addition to his mother, Sergeant Swisher leaves behind a wife, Kristen; daughter, Alexandria; brother, Terry; and sister, Lisa. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time. For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring SGT Christopher Swisher.43 sources2003govinfo.gov
- I rise today to wish the United States Army happy birthday. It was 226 years ago today, in 1775, that the Continental Army of the United States was formed. The United States Army has had a monumental impact on our country. Millions of men and women over the past 226 years have served in the senior branch of our military forces. The Army is interwoven into the culture of America. Those who have had the great privilege of serving our country in the U.S. Army understand that. Last week, I was in Crawford, Nebraska. I am helping with the renovation of the historic barracks at the old Ft. Robinson in western Nebraska. Ft. Robinson was home to the U.S. Army's 'Buffalo Soldiers'--the heroic black soldiers who fought as part of the U.S. Army after the Civil War into the early 20th Century. The Buffalo Soldiers made up about twelve percent of the U.S. Army at the turn of the Century and they served our country valiantly and with great distinction. Eighteen Buffalo Soldiers earned the Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest award, fighting on the Western frontier.3 sources2001govinfo.gov
- I rise this afternoon to add my tribute and honor to our fallen comrades and colleagues, Officers Chestnut and Gibson, whose bodies lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda just down the hall, where Members of the House and Senate paid tribute this morning. I am not nearly eloquent enough to express the feelings, certainly, that all of us have about what these two men did mean to us, what all of our officers, protectors, men and women who guard over us and our population that visits this great and magnificent Capitol, this Capitol that represents free men and women, this Capitol that represents the best hope for mankind, mean to us. What I would like to offer is a saying that I have found comforting over the years and I believe applies very much to our fallen heroes. And that saying goes like this--that man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of men and the love of children, who leaves the world better than he found it, whether through an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul, who never failed to appreciate the beauty of nature, and always gave the best he had. Officers Chestnut and Gibson gave the best they had and the America they leave behind is a better place.2 sources1998govinfo.gov
- on behalf of my colleagues Senators Mikulski, Durbin, Murkowski, and Voinovich, I rise to submit a resolution recognizing the accomplishments of Ignacy Jan Paderewski on the 65th anniversary of his death on June 29, 1941. Born in Poland in 1860, Paderewski is remembered for his contributions as a musician, philanthropist, statesman, and as one of the great men of his time. Paderewski was a brilliant and popular pianist who performed hundreds of concerts in Europe and the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, donating the proceeds to numerous charitable causes. During World War I, Paderewski played a central role in helping achieve Poland's independence, serving as the first Premier of Poland from 1919 until 1922, when he left politics and returned to music. The German invasion of Poland in 1939 spurred Paderewski to return to politics where he fought against Nazi Germany in World War II and joined the exiled Polish Government, where he helped mobilize Polish forces against the Nazis. Paderewski died in 1941. At the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Paderewski's remains were placed alongside America's honored dead in Arlington National Cemetery. He did not live to see the U.S. and Allied Forces free Europe from the tyranny of Nazi control. Paderewski's legacy inspired movements throughout Europe, including Solidarity in Poland.…2 sources2006govinfo.gov
- I wish to express my sympathy over the loss of U.S. Army PVT Benjamin J. Slaven from Nebraska. Private Slaven died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq on June 9. He was 22 years old. Private Slaven grew up in Plymouth, NE and received his high school equivalency diploma from Southeast Community College in 2005. He was deployed to Iraq in March after serving in the U.S. Army Reserves. Before being deployed, Private Slaven worked with developmentally disabled young adults at the Beatrice State Development Center in Beatrice, NE. He was a member of Detachment 1, 308th Transportation Company based in Lincoln, NE. Private Slaven will be remembered as a loyal soldier who had a strong sense of duty, honor, and love of country. Thousands of brave Americans like Private Slaven are currently serving in Iraq. Private Slaven is survived by his mother, Judy Huenink of Plymouth, NE; father, Bruce Slaven of Beatrice, NE; and sister, Misti Slaven. Judy and Bruce both served in the Air Force, and Misti is training to be a medical lab technician in the Army Reserve at Fort Bliss, TX. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. America is proud of Private Slaven's heroic service and mourns his loss. I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring PVT Benjamin J. Slaven. Lance Corporal Brent Zoucha Mr. President, I also wish to express my sympathy over the loss of U.S.…2 sources2006govinfo.gov
- I rise today to wish the U.S. Army happy birthday. It was 231 years ago today, June 14, 1775, that the Continental Army of the United States was formed. Over the past 231 years, millions of men and women have served in the oldest branch of our Armed Forces. Their honor, courage, sacrifice and service are the foundation of America's greatness. The Army principles of ``Duty, Honor, Country'' is America. Every generation of Americans who have served in the U.S. Army from the Continental Army to our fighting men and women serving today in Iraq and Afghanistan have been shaped by these principles. The United States Army has shaped lives just as it has shaped our history. The U.S. Army has protected our democracy and helped make the world more secure, peaceful, and prosperous. On this 231st birthday of the U.S. Army, we also recognize and thank the individuals who have sacrificed and served our country. They inspire us and will continue to serve as role models for future generations. ``Happy Birthday'' to the U.S. Army. And, in the Army's great rich tradition and as a proud Army veteran, I proclaim my annual Senate floor ``HOOAH!''2 sources2006govinfo.gov
cbsnews.com
Jun 13, 2022
No one person should ever govern a party. That’s not the point of political parties. Political parties must be diverse, have different opinions.
Jun 13, 2022
The facts speak for themselves, and especially when you look at the many of the witnesses, who are Trump cabinet members, White House officials in the Trump administration, supporters of Mr. Trump.
Jun 13, 2022
The American people are enlightened by the results of what the findings of the January 6 committee have been, and sharing those findings with the American people are absolutely critical, critical for the understanding of our citizenry what…
Jun 13, 2022
I think the GOP is in a lot of trouble. And I do think an encouraging sign, I think the strong control that Mr. Trump has exercised over the Republican Party is dwindling.
Apr 4, 2022
It just feeds into all that instability, and unrest, and unpredictability, which makes a damn dangerous world.
Apr 4, 2022
This is so unpredictable. And we've never seen anything quite like this in our lifetime, so there is no playbook here.
Apr 4, 2022
The Chinese are watching this as relates to Taiwan, the Iranians, the North Koreans -- all countries are watching this, and watching the U.S. response to it, and the West response to it.
Oct 19, 2020
When you have a national leader, our national world leader, who has left dignity behind, decency behind, honesty, integrity behind them, that's where you start.
Oct 19, 2020
This is a very clear picture of a very desperate candidate who knows he is losing.
Oct 19, 2020
There is going to be some severe reckoning and review, and a top-down, break it all down and asking themselves, who are we? What do we believe in?
Apr 8, 2019
One would have to suspect the motive behind the effort to put together this panel.
Apr 8, 2019
Planning for climate change is not some frivolous waste of time, a waste of money. It is essential to our troops and to their wellbeing, and the national security of this country.
Apr 8, 2019
I don't believe so, because there will be a question of trust and confidence in the panel, the makeup, if it's not transparent.
Apr 8, 2019
We had better pay attention to what our scientists, our intelligence people, our military leaders are saying how serious this is and the impact it is going to have.
Apr 8, 2019
It is the biggest responsibility any leader has, to leave the place better than they found it, and I do not think we are doing it right now.
Apr 8, 2019
That administration really laid out in 1991 and 1992 the threats of climate change, especially for national security.
Apr 8, 2019
Well, first recognize that we have a problem and then start addressing the problem, locally, nationally, globally.
Politicians like Chuck Hagel
