James Pickle: “I rise in opposition to the Dellums amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to Chairman Dellums' amendment to…”

“I rise in opposition to the Dellums amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to Chairman Dellums' amendment to eliminate the Selective Service System [SSS] Peacetime Registration Program. This amendment would remove the requirement for 18-year olds to register with Selective Service. This would significantly impact our armed services in the event of a national crisis. Registration is a key part to ensuring and preserving our national security. Although the cold war is over and the Berlin Wall has been torn down, there still remains the continuing tensions throughout the world in Korea, Bosnia, and the Persian Gulf. With instability in these regions, the United States cannot afford to send out weakening signals. At the price of $6 million, in comparison with a defense budget totaling $262 billion, this is an inexpensive insurance policy for our military. Should the Selective Service interrupt its peacetime registration, it would take 3 months to a year to reactivate the system of putting draftees into uniform. With the present system, it would only take 13 days after a draft law is passed to mobilize readiness. President Clinton and former Secretary of Defense Les Aspin have conducted a review of the SSS and draft registration, and concluded that it is necessary and vital to our national security interests. I support my President and the Selective Service.”