Benjamin Gilman: “shortly after World War II, the great American soldier and statesman George Marshall said that a safe and free America…”

“shortly after World War II, the great American soldier and statesman George Marshall said that a safe and free America depends on a safe and free Europe. Marshall, of course, was emphasizing the importance of Europe to the United States at that time. Permit me to suggest that Marshall's paradigm has changed. Today, he could have stated that a safe and free America depends upon a democratic, safe and free Asia. Before the summer recess, I introduced H.R. 4899, legislation to establish a Pacific Charter Commission. The purpose of the commission would be to create a charter that would promote a consistent and coordinated foreign policy which would ensure economic and military security in the Pacific region of Asia. The charter would attempt to obtain those goals through the promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, free trade, and open markets. Obviously, this region is vital to the future of our Nation. Over the past 50 years, Asia has become a significant center of international economic and military power.”