S780 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 22, 2009 Presidential Memorandum on Trans- sistance we in Congress can give them. agree that sometimes, in the name of parency and Open Government that Day in and day out, for the past 45 national security, it is necessary to will promote accountability and trans- years, Margaret has helped us support make difficult ethical decisions to pro- parency in government and an Execu- the men and women of the U.S. Army tect the American people. tive Order on Presidential records that and their families to the best of her However, I believe that the use of will provide the American people with ability. Thousands of soldiers and their torture and indefinite detention have greater access to Presidential records. families have been touched by her dedi- not only tarnished our honor but also The right to know is a cornerstone of cated, professional, and personal care. our democracy. Without it, citizens are On behalf of all the members of the diminished our security. In this global kept in the dark about key policy deci- Committee on Armed Services, I ask counterinsurgency effort against al sions that directly affect their lives. unanimous consent that our commit- Qaida and its allies, too often our Without open government, citizens tee’s resolution commending Margaret means have undercut our efforts cannot make informed choices at the Tyler on her service to the men and against extremism. In this struggle, ballot box. Without access to public women of the U.S. Army, to their fami- the people are the center of gravity. documents and a vibrant free press, of- lies, and to the Senate of the United And too often we have wasted one of ficials can make decisions in the shad- States be printed in the RECORD. the best weapons we have in our arse- ows, often in collusion with special in- There being no objection, the mate- nal: the legitimacy we wield when we terests, escaping accountability for rial was ordered to be printed in the exercise our moral authority. their actions. And once eroded, these RECORD, as follows: Efforts to justify, explain away, or rights are hard to win back. COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES RESOLUTION 1 The Sunshine in Government Initia- endorse the use of torture have played COMMENDING MARGARET TYLER ON HER SERV- directly into a central tenet of al tive has been vigilant and steadfast on ICE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED behalf of open government. I have been STATES ARMY, TO THEIR FAMILIES AND TO Qaida’s recruiting pitch: that everyday pleased to work with this coalition of THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Muslims across the world have some- the American Society of Newspaper Whereas Margaret Tyler, a native of Eng- thing to fear from the United States of Editors, the , Associa- land who became a United States citizen on America. From Morocco to Malaysia, tion of Alternative Newsweeklies, Na- February 24, 1954, has worked for the federal people regularly hear stories of torture tional Association of Broadcasters, Na- Government for 57 years; and suicide at Abu Ghraib, Guanta- tional Newspaper Association, News- Whereas Margaret Tyler worked in the Army Liaison Office in the House of Rep- namo, and other overseas prisons. The paper Association of America, Radio- resentatives from 1964 to 1970, and in the result has been a major blow to our Television News Directors Association, Army Liaison Office in the United States credibility worldwide, particularly Reporters Committee for Freedom of Senate from 1971 to the present day, a total where we need it most: in the Muslim the Press, and Society of Professional of 45 years of dedicated service; world. Journalists in connection with these Whereas Margaret Tyler has demonstrated Torture and lawlessness are not eas- initiatives and correcting the govern- an unwavering commitment to meeting the ment’s presumption toward openness. needs of members of the United States ily contained. Once the strictures are As we celebrate the inauguration of Army, their families, and the members and loosened, the corner-cutting practices our new President and the start of a staff of the United States Senate for the past spread. The Pentagon used high-level 38 years; Guantanamo detainees to test coercive new administration, we are reminded Whereas Margaret Tyler has earned the re- that a free, open, and accountable de- spect and gratitude of the Senators and their interrogation techniques, but such mocracy is what our forefathers envi- staffs for her dedication, her profes- techniques eventually found their way sioned and fought to create. I believe sionalism, her service and her good humor; to low-level detainees at Abu Ghraib that it is the duty of each new genera- Resolved, That the Committee on Armed prison in Iraq. While images of Abu tion to protect this vital heritage and Services expresses its appreciation to Mar- Ghraib have long faded from American garet Tyler and commends her for her inheritance. In this new year, at this lengthy, faithful and outstanding service to minds and media, they remain fixtures, new and historic time for our Nation, I the men and women of the United States years later, across the Arab and Mus- am pleased that we have once again re- Army, to their families, and to the Senate of lim world. affirmed a commitment to an open and the United States. As Senator MCCAIN has argued, the transparent government on behalf of Resolved, That the Clerk of the Committee shall transmit a copy of this resolution to use of techniques like waterboarding— all Americans. invented in the Spanish Inquisition and f Margaret Tyler. f prosecuted by the American Govern- COMMENDING MARGARET TYLER EXECUTIVE ORDERS ment as a Japanese war crime after Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today, the World War II—leaves its scars on a Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today is Committee on Armed Services unani- democratic society as well. Torture, a very significant day for the rule of mously passed a committee resolution which flourishes in the shadows, de- law in the United States of America, to express its appreciation to Margaret pends on lies—not just from those who Tyler and to commend her for her and a powerful statement that the United States again stands for the seek to avoid torture, but from those many years of faithful and outstanding who seek to conceal it. After years of service to the men and women of the time-honored principles and values that have made us a beacon to the Orwellian denials and legalistic pars- U.S. Army, to their families, and to the ing, what a relief it was to hear our Senate of the United States. world. Margaret Tyler has worked for the This morning, the President of the new Attorney General-designee Eric Federal Government for 57 years. She United States signed Executive orders Holder finally acknowledge on behalf has served 45 of those 57 years in the ordering the closure of Guantanamo of the United States Government what Army Liaison Office—38 of those years Bay prison within a year; suspending we all know to be true: that yes, in the Army Senate Liaison Office. all military commissions at Guanta- ‘‘waterboarding is torture.’’ Through all those years, Mrs. Tyler namo Bay; closing secret third-country As we move forward, President has dedicated herself to helping those prisons; and placing interrogation in Obama is wise to ‘‘reject as false the in need and in solving problems affect- all American facilities for all U.S. per- choice between our safety and our ing the U.S. Army. She has always sonnel under the guidelines of the ideals’’—but moving beyond this been professional, efficient, and effec- Army Field Manual. framework does not mean that this ad- tive in her work. Over the years, Sen- In a season of transformational ministration will not face real and dif- changes, these are among the most pro- ators and staff have learned that when ficult choices about how best to keep foundly meaningful because they will they have a problem involving the Americans safe while honoring our val- sustain the long-term health of the Army the first step in solving the prob- ues. lem is calling Margaret Tyler. To many most cherished ideals of our Republic: in the Senate family, she is affection- respect for the rule of law, individual The American people should know ately known as the Army’s Angel. rights, and American moral leadership. that closing Guantanamo will not be The men and women of our Armed The threat our Nation faces from ter- easy. Conceived to be outside law, re- Forces deserve the best support and as- rorism is all too real. And we should all claiming the prison and its inhabitants

VerDate Nov 24 2008 04:03 Jan 23, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G22JA6.032 S22JAPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with SENATE January 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S781 into our legal system from what Vice 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. instead of promoting them. If the pol- President Cheney called ‘‘the dark WADE icy were to be reversed, it would blur side’’ will be an enormous challenge Mr. BURR. Mr. President, today, the line that has been drawn between and a thicket of thorny legal and pol- January 22, 2009, marks the 36th anni- funding organizations that aim to re- icy issues. versary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s duce abortions, and those that promote However, we are already seeing the Roe v. Wade decision. abortion as a means of contraception. international system reorganize itself Today, concerned Americans, includ- President Obama should make the around an America that is willing to be ing many North Carolinians, are gath- right choice in keeping the Mexico a moral leader. Countries such as Por- ering on the National Mall to March City Agreement in place. tugal and Ireland have made welcome for Life, and I would like to take this In conclusion, on this 36th year since offers to join Albania in resettling de- opportunity to welcome them to Wash- the Supreme Court handed down its de- tainees who cannot be returned to ington, DC. cision, I commend the leaders of their home countries. Already we are On January 17, 2009, in anticipation ‘‘March for Life.’’ Supporters are in seeing the fruits of a good-faith effort of today’s events, North Carolinians today, marching down with our allies. gathered for their annual Rally and Pennsylvania Avenue, reminding law- makers of the importance of preserving Still, it will take time and effort to March for Life in Raleigh. and protecting life. Their voices are overcome numerous hurdles. The new I congratulate them on their success- heard. They are heard year after year. administration faces tough challenges ful event, and I would like to thank I hope there is a day when their voices handed over from the previous adminis- them for their efforts to promote a cul- are heard in celebration that life is pre- tration. Looming questions must be ad- ture of life in America. served and protected by the rule of law. dressed about the inadmissibility of In recent years we have made great evidence improperly coerced. It is dif- strides in protecting the unborn f ficult or impossible in some cases to through various measures, such as pas- U.S. AIRWAYS FLIGHT 1549 HEROES sage of the partial birth abortion ban, return detainees—including many Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I rise Lacey and Connor’s Law, and tax in- cleared for departure—who would face today to recognize the heroic efforts of centives to enable more families to torture or worse in their home coun- the pilots, crew, passengers, emergency tries; and we already know that some adopt. responders, and volunteer organiza- These achievements are a testament released from Guantanamo have re- tions that led to the extraordinary out- to the advocates who work tirelessly turned to the battlefield. In some cases come of U.S. Airways flight 1549, which every day to remind us of the value of we simply lack evidence to charge men was bound for Charlotte, NC, on Janu- life. we know to be extremely dangerous ary 15, 2009. and threatening to the American peo- With these achievements and others, U.S. Airways flight 1549 departed ple. And we owe it to those we believe it is my sincere hope that my col- ’s LaGuardia Airport on the made grave mistakes to acknowledge leagues in the Senate will continue to afternoon of with 150 pas- the urgency of the moment they inher- work together to protect our children. sengers and 5 crew, including 2 pilots Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, ited, the sacred responsibility to pro- and 3 flight attendants, aboard. Char- today marks the 36th year since the tect American lives, which they strove lotte was the final destination of 104 of to honor, and the humbling reality Supreme Court issued its decision in the passengers, many of whom are my that there are no easy answers when it the case of Roe v. Wade, a court deci- constituents. comes to such life-and-death matters. sion that evokes strong emotions all Within minutes of take-off, the air- across America. Today, thousands of But the American story is one of per- craft experienced engine trouble forc- Americans who support life have taken fectibility and striving for ever-greater ing the pilot, Captain Chesley B. time out of their busy schedules to fidelity to our ideals—it is a journey ‘‘Sully’’ Sullenberger, to perform an travel to Washington to take part in from Colony to Republic, from slavery on the Hudson the ‘‘March for Life,’’ an annual event to freedom, from sexism to suffrage, River. on the National Mall. I share their from stark poverty to shared pros- I understand that a of hope for seeing the day where the sanc- perity. The President himself famously this sort is rare and technically chal- tity of life is cherished, valued, and af- said, ‘‘the union may never be perfect, lenging, making it extremely dan- firmed under the law. but generation after generation has gerous for all aboard. But Captain This morning, I had the opportunity Sullenberger executed the difficult shown that it can always be perfected.’’ to meet with some of these individuals, It is true that today we face unprece- landing expertly. His skill and deci- students from Cardinal Newman High siveness has been heralded with saving dented, unorthodox, and vastly de- School in West Palm Beach, and I ex- the lives of all on board. structive enemies that respect neither pressed my gratitude for their stead- As passengers emerged from the borders nor rules of war. But it is fast commitment to protecting inno- plane onto emergency life rafts and the equally true that we have done so be- cent human life. wings of the still buoyant aircraft, fore. This is not the first new challenge As a Nation, we have made signifi- boats were on the scene to assist with America has evolved to meet. Some- cant progress in creating a culture that the rescue in minutes. Vessels were dis- times that evolution requires us to respects life in recent years. As some- patched from the New York police and admit mistakes, learn from them and one who believes that every life is sa- fire departments, the Port Authority of grow as a nation. Our progress in re- cred, I encourage President Obama to New York and , the U.S. sponse to new threats and new fears follow the lead of his predecessor, and Coast Guard, and the New York Water- has been halting but real, and our set- continue to restrict the use of taxpayer way, which reportedly sent all 14 of its backs have always been followed by a funding for organizations that perform boats to the scene. strong corrective impulse. The desire abortion services or refer patients to Without the immediate assistance of to do better has always been a core abortion providers. these boats, I am certain the pas- part of America’s greatness. This policy, known as the Mexico sengers and crew on board would not Today and his admin- City Agreement, was first signed into have fared as well as they did, given istration wrote a new chapter in that order by President Ronald Reagan in the extreme temperatures in New York old story. I commend them and look 1984. Over the years, the policy has City on the day of the incident. All forward to helping them make good on been wrongly attacked and falsely participating rescue parties are to be their goals, keep Americans safe, and characterized as a restriction on for- commended for their swift and profes- usher in a new era of America’s moral eign aid for family planning. The truth sional response. leadership. is that the policy has not reduced aid In fact, the tales of heroism emerging Today’s Executive orders were a at all. from this event are numerous. For ex- promising sign of things to come— Instead, it has ensured that family ample, I was moved by the story of America will again honor the values planning funds are given to organiza- Josh Peltz, a Charlotte resident, hus- that make us strong. tions dedicated to reducing abortions band, and father of two. Flying home

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