Political Quotes

“first I wish to commend Senators to read the Congressional Record of April 14, page S. 4366, when the distinguished chairman of the Armed Services Committee spoke to this body about this issue before. His previous statement, and the statement that he has just made, reflect one of the most courageous statements ever made in the history of the Armed Services Committee when he addressed the full Senate just prior to the vote. But I would like to proceed to a question, Madam President, of the chairman. He used the word ``punishment.'' And he referred only to Admiral Kelso. But I would hope that those who are debating here today would broaden the word punishment to include Admiral Kelso's partner for 38 years in the U.S. Navy, his wife and his family. They are subject to the same punishment that this body is considering. For 38 years, Mrs. Kelso has packed and unpacked and traveled throughout the world, as have other Navy wives, other Army wives, other Air Force wives, other Marine Corps wives. Military service is a partnership. It is a family. Part of that punishment will be monetary. And, Madam President, I ran this calculation. Assuming Admiral Kelso elected to participate in the survivor's benefit plan, which the great majority of regular officers have participated in, his surviving spouse, again should she survive the admiral, would lose $770 a month if he retired, subject to Senate action, as a two-star versus four.”