Floyd Spence: “Our Nation cannot walk away from its obligation to lead our hemisphere in preserving regional stability, conducting…”

“Our Nation cannot walk away from its obligation to lead our hemisphere in preserving regional stability, conducting counternarcotics operations, providing disaster relief and promoting democratic values and respect for human rights. Our military and the School of the Americas, in particular, have been a forefront of these efforts. Ironically, the amendment before us would actually strike a provision of H.R. 4205 that would reform the School of the Americas and address key concerns that have been raised over the years by the school's critics. Specifically, transitioning the school into the Defense Institute for Hemispheric Security Cooperation, it requires a minimum of 8 hours of instruction per student in human rights, the rule of law, due process, civilian control of the military, and the role of the military in a democratic society, and creating a board of visitors with a broad mandate to oversee the activities and curriculum of the Institute, and requires the board to submit a report to the Secretary of Defense and to Congress. These are fundamental changes to the program that are intended to ensure continued education and training of the military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel from Latin America while enhancing transparency.”