The City of Berkeley and the Marines
Recently, I reaffirmed my commitment to our men and women in uniform by cosponsoring two bills condemning the actions taken by the City of Berkeley, California against the United States Marines.
The "Semper Fi Act" rescinds all funding contained in the Omnibus spending bill for the City of Berkeley, California and any entities located in Berkeley and transfers those funds to the Marines. This bill, introduced by Rep. John Campbell (CA-48), is in response to a recent Berkeley City Council vote to tell the Marines to close their recruiting station in the city. The second bill I cosponsored is a resolution reaffirming the commitment of the United States House of Representatives to the patriotic and professional men and women serving in the United States Marine Corps while condemning the City of Berkeley.
I am both shocked and outraged that an American city would so blatantly turn their backs on our military men and women. As we speak, these men and women are fighting and will continue to fight for the safety of all Americans, including those that live in Berkeley, California whether they appreciate it or not. I believe that any American city that refuses access to our nation’s military should also be willing to forgo any assistance from our government entirely.
During the meeting, the Berkeley City Council voted to give protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week. According to the City Council agenda, they "Encourage all people to avoid cooperation with the Marine Corps recruiting station, and applaud residents and organizations such as Code Pink, that may volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley."
| Posted by Congressman John Carter (TX - 31) (02-12-2008, 04:44 PM) filed under HRPC Member |
Comments
Berkeley is a very liberal place.
Comment by: Jim
February 13, 2008 02:36 PM