Norton Writes Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman to Insist on Formal Apology (3/14/07)
Washington, DC--The Office of Congresswoman EleanorHolmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter Norton wrote to General PeterPace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, insisting on a formal apology forthe comments he made this week about gay members of the military. Shesaid that Gen. Pace's remarks calling homosexuality immoral were "hugelyinsensitive and unequivocally insulting to troops risking their lives in thefield in Iraq, Afghanistan andaround the world, and to veterans who have given their dedicatedservice." Norton also wrote that General Pace's demeaning statementscould cause many to question serving their country at a time when the Presidentis calling for additional troops and recruits.
The full text of Norton's letterfollows.
March 14, 2007
General Peter Pace
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington, DC
Dear General Pace:
I am asking that you issue a formalapology to the men and women honorably serving their country in the military inIraq, Afghanistan and around the world, and to veterans who have risked theirlives serving their country. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff anda career soldier, you know the unfortunate impact that remarks coming fromtheir command have on the morale of service men andwomen.
Many Americans were profoundlydisappointed by your statements about gay members of the armed forces, the"Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy and your personal views onhomosexuality. In your initial comment, you said that you consideredhomosexual acts immoral and that the armed forces should not condone immoralacts by allowing gays to serve openly. Your comments were hugelyinsensitive and unequivocally insulting to troops risking their lives in thefield in Iraq, Afghanistan andaround the world, and to veterans who have given their dedicated service. Your second statement was equally insulting to our military. In thosecomments, you stated your support of don't ask, don't tell, which of course isyour sworn duty. However, you failed to apologize and again maintainedyour view that homosexuality is immoral, but told our troops and veterans thatyou should have kept your personal opinion about them to yourself.
I am also greatly concerned aboutthe affect of your remarks on young people who might consider serving in thevolunteer military, many of whom are only discovering and coming to grips withtheir sexuality. They are being asked to make one of the most importantdecisions of their lives by enlisting in the armed services, leaving family andothers who could an offer them guidance at home. Many young adults, someof them just beyond puberty, believe they can serve with honor, even with don'task, don't tell. Now at a time when recruitment to our volunteer armedservices is at great risk, the President is calling for more troops, and moreis expected of them, your demeaning statements could cause many to question thevalue of serving their country.
The only honorable course for ahigh level officer in your position is to do what is best for the service andfor the country he serves. Therefore, it is clear that the only way to put thismatter to rest is to take full responsibility, issue a formal apology and bedone with it. Otherwise, this matter will continue to be raised aboutyou, and worse, about the wisdom of volunteering to serve in the armed forcesof the United States. I know you will agree that that would be unacceptable to all concerned.
Sincerely yours,
Eleanor Holmes Norton