Political Quotes

“Almost every evening on the news we see the U.S. military protecting American interests around the globe. More often than not these American military forces include naval forces. A year ago, it was Navy carrier-based aircraft that were keeping the pressure on Saddam Hussein in Iraq. A few months later it was an American aircraft carrier sent to the coast of Somalia to provide protection to American and other U.N. peacekeeping troops. That same aircraft carrier also operated off the coast of the former Yugoslavia, ready to provide military muscle to back up diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in war-torn Bosnia. For more than 50 years, America's interests have been served by aircraft carrier battle groups deployed around the globe. I am pleased that President Clinton has included a request for funds to build a new aircraft carrier in this year's defense budget. The President and the Secretary of Defense understand the military and diplomatic necessity of maintaining strong naval power to protect America's interests into the next century.”