Deploring Abuse of Persons in United States Custody in Iraq

DEPLORING ABUSE OF PERSONS IN UNITED STATES CUSTODY IN IRAQ -- (House of Representatives - May 06, 2004)

Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 628, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 627) deploring the abuse of persons in United States custody in Iraq, regardless of the circumstances of their detention, urging the Secretary of the Army to bring to swift justice any member of the Armed Forces who has violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice, expressing the deep appreciation of the Nation to the courageous and honorable members of the Armed Forces who have selflessly served, or are currently serving, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

The Clerk read the title of the resolution.

The text of H. Res. 627 is as follows:

H. Res. 627

Whereas the American people and the world are dismayed by revelations of abuses inflicted upon detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad;

Whereas the military justice process so far has resulted in charges being brought against six individuals, three of whom have been recommended for trial by court martial;

Whereas the investigation by the United States Central Command has identified problems of leadership, chain of command, and training that contributed to the instances of abuse;

Whereas the Congress was not fully informed of the existence, or the seriousness, of those abuses or of the investigation of those abuses until after they had been disclosed in the national media;

Whereas such abuses are offensive to the principles and values of the American people and the United States military, are incompatible with the professionalism, dedication, standards and training required of individuals who serve in the United States military, and contradict the policies, orders, and laws of the United States and the United States military and undermine the ability of the United States military to achieve its mission in Iraq;

Whereas the vast majority of members of the Armed Forces have upheld the highest possible standards of professionalism and morality in the face of illegal tactics and terrorist attacks and attempts on their lives;

Whereas members of the Armed Forces have planned and conducted, frequently at great peril and cost, military operations in a manner carefully intended to prevent or minimize injury to Iraqi civilians and property;

Whereas over 138,000 members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Iraq, a total force comprised of active, National Guard, and Reserve personnel, are executing a courageous and determined mission to rebuild and rehabilitate a proud nation after liberating it from the tyranny, oppression, and genocide of Saddam Hussein's evil regime;

Whereas the Department of Defense has awarded members of the Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom at least 3,767 Purple Hearts, as well as thousands of commendations for valor, including at least 4 Distinguished Service Crosses, 127 Silver Stars, and over 16,000 Bronze Stars;

Whereas members of the Armed Forces, United States citizens, over 30 Coalition partners, and patriotic Iraqis are working to finally return the government of Iraq to the Iraqi people after decades of despotism;

Whereas since the deposing of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi people have enjoyed substantial improvements in essential services, including major water, sewage, power, infrastructure, transportation, telecommunications, and food security projects that already benefit millions more citizens than under the Ba'ath Party regime;

Whereas the quality of life for Iraqis has significantly improved in the areas of food availability, health services, and educational opportunities since the downfall of the Hussein government; and

Whereas security provided by the United States Armed Forces, the Coalition partners of the United States, and the Iraqi people has permitted the adoption by Iraq of a Transitional Administrative Law, with the promise of a sovereign Iraqi Interim Government, national elections, a constitution, and democracy: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-

(1) deplores and condemns the abuse of persons in United States custody in Iraq, regardless of the circumstances of their detention;

(2) declares that the alleged crimes of a handful of individuals should not detract from the commendable sacrifices of over 300,000 members of the United States Armed Forces who have served, or who are serving, in Operation Iraqi Freedom;

(3) reaffirms and reinforces the American principle that any and all individuals under the custody and care of the United States Armed Forces shall be afforded proper and humane treatment;

(4) urges the Secretary of the Army to conduct a full and thorough investigation into any and all allegations of mistreatment or abuse of detainees in Iraq;

(5) urges the Secretary of the Army and appropriate military authorities to undertake corrective action to address chain of command deficiencies and the systemic deficiencies identified in the incidents in question;

(6) urges the Secretary of the Army to bring to swift justice any member of the Armed Forces who has violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice to ensure that their actions are not allowed to impugn the integrity of the United States Armed Forces or undermine the United States mission in Iraq;

(7) reaffirms the need for Congress to be frequently updated on the status of efforts by the Department of Defense to address and resolve issues identified in this resolution;

(8) expresses the deep appreciation of the Nation to the courageous and honorable members of the Armed Forces who have selflessly served, or who are currently serving, in Operation Iraqi Freedom;

(9) expresses the support and thanks of the Nation to the families and friends of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors, and Coast Guardsmen who have served, or who are serving, in Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

(10) expresses the continuing solidarity and support of the House of Representatives and the American people for the partnership of the United States with the Iraqi people in building a viable Iraqi government and a secure nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 628, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) each will control 30 minutes.

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Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I will be voting for the resolution today because I agree with its praise of our troops in Iraq, who under difficult circumstances continue to display high standards and professionalism during the occupation and rebuilding of Iraq.

However, I am very disappointed in the resolution and will vote for it with reservations. The primary purpose of the resolution should have been to deplore any abuses which have occurred while prisoners are in U.S. custody, and to demand swift prosecution of those who committed illegal or unethical acts, including those responsible in the military chain of command. Atrocities in the Abu Ghraib prison, and anywhere else they may have been committed, must be thoroughly and openly addressed through congressional investigations. These investigations must also include the conduct of American contractors who had a role in overseeing prisoners. Irresponsibly, these important points are left out of the resolution the House is considering today.

The recent abuse of prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison is not only disgraceful, it is damaging to the interests of the United States, and ultimately it endangers our men and women in uniform not just in Iraq but around the world. We must act quickly to convince the court of world opinion that the American people do not tolerate illegal or unethical conduct by Americans and will take the necessary steps to stop it and prevent it from happening again.

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