For Immediate Release                          Contact: Elizabeth Schwarzer
June 15, 2000                                                (202) 226-4985

"True Faith and Allegiance to the Same ..."

        WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "American young people volunteer their lives to defend America," said U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage (R-ID) today, "not to solve the problems of the world at gun-point." Today Chenoweth-Hage introduced the Citizen Soldier Protection Act (H.R. 4669), a bill that clarifies the role and obligations of American servicemen.

        "It is a shame that this legislation is necessary," said Chenoweth-Hage. "It is a shame that the current civilian leadership does not understand what these young men and women are all about."

        The legislation has two provisions: First, it would make it illegal to force any United States serviceman to wear the insignia, seal or rank of the United Nations or any foreign nation. Second, it would require a vote of Congress and a declaration of war to commit U.S. troops to the command of another nation or the United Nations.

        "The American armed forces serve a single purpose -- to protect and defend America and American interests at all costs. Asking our servicemen to serve a foreign body betrays their sacrifice and makes light of what each and every one of them says when they take their oath -- that they love America, that America is worth dying for, and that they will stand and defend it. That is a sacred oath, and we must never forget it."

        Introduced by Chenoweth-Hage today, the bill has bipartisan support including Republican Majority Whip Tom Delay, Jim Trafficant (D-Ohio); Joe Pitts (R-Pennsylvania); Ralph Hall (D-Texas); Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Roscoe Bartlett (R-Maryland.)

        [Editor's note: The congressman's remarks may be accessed in broadcast-quality audio by dialing (202)225-2355.]