Norton Writes Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman to Insist on Formal Apology (3/14/07)

Washington, DC--The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter Norton wrote to General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, insisting on a formal apology for the comments he made this week about gay members of the military.  She said that Gen. Pace's remarks calling homosexuality immoral were "hugely insensitive and unequivocally insulting to troops risking their lives in the field in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world, and to veterans who have given their dedicated service."  Norton also wrote that General Pace's demeaning statements could cause many to question serving their country at a time when the President is calling for additional troops and recruits. 

        The full text of Norton's letter follows.

                                                                    March 14, 2007

General Peter Pace
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, DC

Dear General Pace:

        I am asking that you issue a formal apology to the men and women honorably serving their country in the military in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world, and to veterans who have risked their lives serving their country.  As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a career soldier, you know the unfortunate impact that remarks coming from their command have on the morale of service men and women.       

        Many Americans were profoundly disappointed by your statements about gay members of the armed forces, the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy and your personal views on homosexuality.  In your initial comment, you said that you considered homosexual acts immoral and that the armed forces should not condone immoral acts by allowing gays to serve openly.  Your comments were hugely insensitive and unequivocally insulting to troops risking their lives in the field in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world, and to veterans who have given their dedicated service.  Your second statement was equally insulting to our military.  In those comments, you stated your support of don't ask, don't tell, which of course is your sworn duty.  However, you failed to apologize and again maintained your view that homosexuality is immoral, but told our troops and veterans that you should have kept your personal opinion about them to yourself. 

        I am also greatly concerned about the affect of your remarks on young people who might consider serving in the volunteer military, many of whom are only discovering and coming to grips with their sexuality.  They are being asked to make one of the most important decisions of their lives by enlisting in the armed services, leaving family and others who could an offer them guidance at home.  Many young adults, some of them just beyond puberty, believe they can serve with honor, even with don't ask, don't tell.  Now at a time when recruitment to our volunteer armed services is at great risk, the President is calling for more troops, and more is expected of them, your demeaning statements could cause many to question the value of serving their country. 

        The only honorable course for a high level officer in your position is to do what is best for the service and for the country he serves. Therefore, it is clear that the only way to put this matter to rest is to take full responsibility, issue a formal apology and be done with it.  Otherwise, this matter will continue to be raised about you, and worse, about the wisdom of volunteering to serve in the armed forces of the United States.  I know you will agree that that would be unacceptable to all concerned.

                                                                Sincerely yours,
                                                                Eleanor Holmes Norton