- Comment
From Liz
- 10-17-3
-
- Hi Jeff:)
-
- This is in rebuttal to Mr/Mrs Summer!
-
- Link:
- http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r108:1:./temp/~r108eXHSIC::
-
- Source: Congressional Record
-
- Make sure to get the two sets of colons in on the end!
- Like I said, it's there on the back burner until they
want to act on it.
-
- Love:)
- Liz
-
- Congressional Record article 1 of 3
-
- SUPPORTING H.R. 163, THE UNIVERSAL NATIONAL SERVICE ACT
OF 2003 -- HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK (Extensions of Remarks - January 08,
2003)
-
-
- HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK
- OF CALIFORNIA
- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003
-
- Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am an original cosponsor of
the Rangel/Conyers bill, the Universal National Service Act of 2003 (H.R.
163), which would reinstate a national draft. I would like to explain my
support for this legislation.
- I ardently oppose war with Iraq. The evidence simply
does not exist to warrant sending our nation's young people to sacrifice
their lives in Iraq. I believe America ought to be an advocate for peace,
not imperialism.
- Yet, war is on the horizon. The President is intent on
invading Iraq whatever the cost. Thanks to the President's brand of hotheaded
bully diplomacy, war with North Korea may also be imminent. The only real
question that remains is whether or not Americans are ready and willing
to bear the cost?
- I commend my colleagues Mr. RANGEL and Mr. CONYERS for
their wisdom in authoring this bill. I'm honored to be an original cosponsor.
- This bill requires all young Americans--men and women
between 18 and 26--to perform a two year period of national service in
a military or civilian capacity as determined by the President. For those
who conscientiously object to war, the bill assures that any military service
would not include combat. Otherwise, there would be no preferences, no
deferments, no chance for the well-off or the well-connected to dodge military
service for their country, as did our President.
- Reinstituting the draft may seem unnecessary to some.
But, it will ensure all Americans share in the cost and sacrifice of war.
Without a universal draft, this burden weighs disproportionately on the
shoulders of the poor, the disadvantaged and minority populations.
- It is my understanding that out of the 435 Members of
this House and the 100 members of the Senate, only one--only one--has a
child in active military service. Who are we to know the pain of war when
we ourselves will not directly bear the brunt of that action? It won't
be us mourning the loss of a child or loved one. Maybe some of you in this
Congress would think twice about voting for war in Iraq if you knew your
child may be sent to fight in the streets of Baghdad?
- If our nation is to go to war, it is only right that
all Americans share in the sacrifice of war. It is time we truly comprehended
the consequences. I urge my colleagues to support a universal draft which
I believe will make votes for war much more real for many of my colleagues.
-
-
-
- Comment
- From M.J. Summer
- 10-17-3
-
- Jeff,
-
- This hysteia over H.R. 163 by your reader is completely
unfounded. Bills like this are introduced nearly every legislative session.
If the reader had probed the congressional record just a wee bit further,
she would have seen that this bill has no chance of becoming law.
-
- First, it is cosponsored by 13 Democrats and no Republicans.
In order for a bill to pass, it usually must have bipartisan support. Second,
if she were to look at the legislative history, it would be clear that
absolutely no action has been taken on this bill since 1/8/03.
-
- While a draft is possible in the future, as is an asteroid
slamming into the earth and wiping out all need for one, this bill has
an almost 0% chance of passing. There is no need at this point to contact
any representative. They probably haven't even heard of the bill and most
likely won't.
-
- Sincerely,
-
- M.J.
- ------
-
- Hi Jeff...
-
- I thought you might be interested in this! They want
to draft our sons AND daughters to fight in their stupid wars. I'll die
and go to hell first! They can kiss my butt! My son and daughter are NOT
going to be sacrificed for George Bush and his fricking crazies!
-
- "To provide for the common defense by requiring
that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a
period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance
of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes."
-
- You notice that "for other purposes?" What
other purposes? The Bastards! I'm already preparing an email for my state
reps and my congressman, I'm so angry I could spit fire.
-
- Note - And they will, no doubt, try to force vaccinate
all of our young people. Better start
- contacting your 'representatives' in DC... -ed
-
- Link: http://www.theorator.com/bills108/hr163.html
-
- 108th CONGRESS
-
- 1st Session
-
- H. R. 163
-
- To provide for the common defense by requiring that all
young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of
military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the
national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes.
-
- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
-
- January 7, 2003
-
- Mr. RANGEL (for himself, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. CONYERS,
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. STARK, and Mr. ABERCROMBIE) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
-
-
- A BILL
-
- To provide for the common defense by requiring that all
young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of
military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the
national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes.
-
- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
-
- (a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Universal
National Service Act of 2003'.
- (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents for this
Act is as follows:
- Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
- Sec. 2. National service obligation.
- Sec. 3. Two-year period of national service.
- Sec. 4. Implementation by the President.
- Sec. 5. Induction.
- Sec. 6. Deferments and postponements.
- Sec. 7. Induction exemptions.
- Sec. 8. Conscientious objection.
- Sec. 9. Discharge following national service.
- Sec. 10. Registration of females under the Military Selective
Service Act.
- Sec. 11. Relation of Act to registration and induction
authority of Military Selective Service Act.
- Sec. 12. Definitions.
- SEC. 2. NATIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION.
-
- (a) OBLIGATION FOR YOUNG PERSONS- It is the obligation
of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing
in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 26 to perform a
period of national service as prescribed in this Act unless exempted under
the provisions of this Act.
- (b) FORM OF NATIONAL SERVICE- National service under
this Act shall be performed either--
- (1) as a member of an active or reserve component of
the uniformed services; or
- (2) in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the
President, promotes the national defense, including national or community
service and homeland security.
- (c) INDUCTION REQUIREMENTS- The President shall provide
for the induction of persons covered by subsection (a) to perform national
service under this Act.
- (d) SELECTION FOR MILITARY SERVICE- Based upon the needs
of the uniformed services, the President shall--
- (1) determine the number of persons covered by subsection
(a) whose service is to be performed as a member of an active or reserve
component of the uniformed services; and
- (2) select the individuals among those persons who are
to be inducted for military service under this Act.
- (e) CIVILIAN SERVICE- Persons covered by subsection (a)
who are not selected for military service under subsection (d) shall perform
their national service obligation under this Act in a civilian capacity
pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
- SEC. 3. TWO-YEAR PERIOD OF NATIONAL SERVICE.
-
- (a) GENERAL RULE- Except as otherwise provided in this
section, the period of national service performed by a person under this
Act shall be two years.
- (b) GROUNDS FOR EXTENSION- At the discretion of the President,
the period of military service for a member of the uniformed services under
this Act may be extended--
- (1) with the consent of the member, for the purpose of
furnishing hospitalization, medical, or surgical care for injury or illness
incurred in line of duty; or
- (2) for the purpose of requiring the member to compensate
for any time lost to training for any cause.
- (c) EARLY TERMINATION- The period of national service
for a person under this Act shall be terminated before the end of such
period under the following circumstances:
- (1) The voluntary enlistment and active service of the
person in an active or reserve component of the uniformed services for
a period of at least two years, in which case the period of basic military
training and education actually served by the person shall be counted toward
the term of enlistment.
- (2) The admission and service of the person as a cadet
or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States
Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy,
or the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
- (3) The enrollment and service of the person in an officer
candidate program, if the person has signed an agreement to accept a Reserve
commission in the appropriate service with an obligation to serve
- on active duty if such a commission is offered upon completion
of the program.
-
- (4) Such other grounds as the President may establish.
- SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION BY THE PRESIDENT.
-
- (a) IN GENERAL- The President shall prescribe such regulations
as are necessary to carry out this Act.
- (b) MATTER TO BE COVERED BY REGULATIONS- Such regulations
shall include specification of the following:
- (1) The types of civilian service that may be performed
for a person's national service obligation under this Act.
- (2) Standards for satisfactory performance of civilian
service and of penalties for failure to perform civilian service satisfactorily.
- (3) The manner in which persons shall be selected for
induction under this Act, including the manner in which those selected
will be notified of such selection.
- (4) All other administrative matters in connection with
the induction of persons under this Act and the registration, examination,
and classification of such persons.
- (5) A means to determine questions or claims with respect
to inclusion for, or exemption or deferment from induction under this Act,
including questions of conscientious objection.
- (6) Standards for compensation and benefits for persons
performing their national service obligation under this Act through civilian
service.
- (7) Such other matters as the President determines necessary
to carry out this Act.
- (c) USE OF PRIOR ACT- To the extent determined appropriate
by the President, the President may use for purposes of this Act the procedures
provided in the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.),
including procedures for registration, selection, and induction.
- SEC. 5. INDUCTION.
-
- (a) IN GENERAL- Every person subject to induction for
national service under this Act, except those whose training is deferred
or postponed in accordance with this Act, shall be called and inducted
by the President for such service at the time and place specified by the
President.
- (b) AGE LIMITS- A person may be inducted under this Act
only if the person has attained the age of 18 and has not attained the
age of 26.
- (c) VOLUNTARY INDUCTION- A person subject to induction
under this Act may volunteer for induction at a time other than the time
at which the person is otherwise called for induction.
- (d) EXAMINATION; CLASSIFICATION- Every person subject
to induction under this Act shall, before induction, be physically and
mentally examined and shall be classified as to fitness to perform national
service. The President may apply different classification standards for
fitness for military service and fitness for civilian service.
- SEC. 6. DEFERMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS.
-
- (a) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS- A person who is pursuing a
standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in a secondary school or
similar institution of learning shall be entitled to have induction under
this Act postponed until the person--
- (1) obtains a high school diploma;
- (2) ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study;
or
- (3) attains the age of 20.
- (b) HARDSHIP AND DISABILITY- Deferments from national
service under this Act may be made for--
- (1) extreme hardship; or
- (2) physical or mental disability.
- (c) TRAINING CAPACITY- The President may postpone or
suspend the induction of persons for military service under this Act as
necessary to limit the number of persons receiving basic military training
and education to the maximum number that can be adequately trained.
- (d) TERMINATION- No deferment or postponement of induction
under this Act shall continue after the cause of such deferment or postponement
ceases.
- SEC. 7. INDUCTION EXEMPTIONS.
-
- (a) QUALIFICATIONS- No person may be inducted for military
service under this Act unless the person is acceptable to the Secretary
concerned for training and meets the same health and physical qualifications
applicable under section 505 of title 10, United States Code, to persons
seeking original enlistment in a regular component of the Armed Forces.
- (b) OTHER MILITARY SERVICE- No person shall be liable
for induction under this Act who--
- (1) is serving, or has served honorably for at least
six months, in any component of the uniformed services on active duty;
or
- (2) is or becomes a cadet or midshipman at the United
States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States
Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, the United States
- Merchant Marine Academy, a midshipman of a Navy accredited
State maritime academy, a member of the Senior Reserve Officers' Training
Corps, or the naval aviation college program, so long as that person satisfactorily
continues in and completes two years training therein.
-
- SEC. 8. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION.
-
- (a) CLAIMS AS CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR- Any person selected
under this Act for induction into the uniformed services who claims, because
of religious training and belief (as defined in section 6(j) of the Military
Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 456(j))), exemption from combatant training
included as part of that military service and whose claim is sustained
under such procedures as the President may prescribe, shall, when inducted,
participate in military service that does not include any combatant training
component.
- (b) TRANSFER TO CIVILIAN SERVICE- Any such person whose
claim is sustained may, at the discretion of the President, be transferred
to a national service program for performance of such person's national
service obligation under this Act.
- SEC. 9. DISCHARGE FOLLOWING NATIONAL SERVICE.
-
- (a) DISCHARGE- Upon completion or termination of the
obligation to perform national service under this Act, a person shall be
discharged from the uniformed services or from civilian service, as the
case may be, and shall not be subject to any further service under this
Act.
- (b) COORDINATION WITH OTHER AUTHORITIES- Nothing in this
section shall limit or prohibit the call to active service in the uniformed
services of any person who is a member of a regular or reserve component
of the uniformed services.
- SEC. 10. REGISTRATION OF FEMALES UNDER THE MILITARY SELECTIVE
SERVICE ACT.
-
- (a) REGISTRATION REQUIRED- Section 3(a) of the Military
Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 453(a)) is amended--
- (1) by striking `male' both places it appears;
- (2) by inserting `or herself' after `himself'; and
- (3) by striking `he' and inserting `the person'.
- (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 16(a) of the Military
Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 466(a)) is amended by striking `men'
and inserting `persons'.
- SEC. 11. RELATION OF ACT TO REGISTRATION AND INDUCTION
AUTHORITY OF MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT.
-
- (a) REGISTRATION- Section 4 of the Military Selective
Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 454) is amended by inserting after subsection
(g) the following new subsection:
- `(h) This section does not apply with respect to the
induction of persons into the Armed Forces pursuant to the Universal National
Service Act of 2003.'.
- (b) INDUCTION- Section 17(c) of the Military Selective
Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 467(c)) is amended by striking `now or hereafter'
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting `inducted
pursuant to the Universal National Service Act of 2003.'.
- SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.
-
- In this Act:
- (1) The term `military service' means service performed
as a member of an active or reserve component of the uniformed services.
- (2) The term `Secretary concerned' means the Secretary
of Defense with respect to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps,
the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, the
Secretary of Commerce, with respect to matters concerning the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, with respect to matters concerning the Public Health Service.
- (3) The term `United States', when used in a geographical
sense, means the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
- (4) The term `uniformed services' means the Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, commissioned corps of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commissioned corps of the Public
Health Service.
- END
|
