REP. CALVERT DENOUNCES SENATOR KERRY’S REMARK DISPARAGING AMERICAN TROOPS

WASHINGTON, DC. October 31, 2006 – Today Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, denounced Senator Kerry’s recent remarks about education and American troops.

“It is clear Senator Kerry has little understanding about the quality of our troops,” said Rep. Calvert.  “Our service members volunteer to join the military because they are patriotic and love our country.  To imply that our troops are undereducated is an erroneous statement that undermines our military and hurts morale.  The U.S. has the most educated and professional military force that the world has ever seen.”

Congressman Calvert’s remarks are in response to Senator Kerry’s address on behalf of Phil Angelides who is running for Governor in California.  At the address Kerry stated:

“You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”

Today Sen. Kerry followed up his comments with a press conference but instead of apologizing for the possibility that some may have taken his comments as an insult to the American military he lashed out at the Administration and Republicans.

Congressman Calvert responded to the press conference:

“I have personally met with American troops, both in Iraq and here at home in California, and I can attest to their dedication, patriotism, professionalism and intelligence.  The liberal intellectual elite seem unable to understand such qualities that drive a person to serve their country.  I stand in awe of our military and am appalled that a senior Senator would refuse to apologize to our troops when he is aware that his statement has been interpreted by many as an insult to our military.”

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