Daniel Inouye

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, the purpose of this bill is to fill certain jurisdictional voids involving offenses committed by U.S. nationals abroad. The Supreme Court has held that, at least in peacetime, civilians may not be tried by courts martial for offenses against military law that they may have committed abroad when they were members of the U.S. Armed Forces and when they were serving with, employed by, or accompanying the Armed Forces. Further, under existing statutes, acts committed by U.S. nationals abroad generally do not constitute offenses against any U.S. law even though they would constitute such offenses if they had been committed in this country. Thus, civilian nationals of the United States are generally not accountable to U.S. Courts for their conduct abroad. This bill would remedy this situation for conduct abroad by civilians who, at the time of the acts in question, were members of the Armed Forces or were serving with, employed by, or accompanying the Armed Forces. The bill would generally provide that such conduct would be subject to the same civilian criminal proscriptions that apply in areas under Federal jurisdiction. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to enable those former Prisoners of War who have been separated honorably from their respective services and who have been rated to have a 30 percent service-connected disability to have the use of both the military commissary and post exchange privileges. While I realize that it is impossible to adequately compensate one who has endured long periods of incarceration at the hands of our Nation's enemies, I do feel that this gesture is both meaningful and important to those concerned. It also serves as a reminder that our Nation has not forgotten their sacrifices. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation today that would direct the Secretary of the Army to determine whether certain nationals of the Philippine Islands performed military service on behalf of the United States during World War II. Mr. President, our Filipino veterans fought side by side and sacrificed their lives on behalf of the United States. This legislation would confirm the validity of their claims and further allow qualified individuals the opportunity to apply for military and veterans' benefits that, I believe, they are entitled to. As this population becomes older, it is important for our nation to extend its firm commitment to the Filipino veterans and their families who participated in making us the great nation today. I ask unanimous consent that the text of my bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I feel that it is very important that our Nation continue its firm commitment to those individuals and their families who have served in the Armed Forces and made us the great Nation that we are today. As this population becomes older, they are unfortunately finding that they need a wider range of health services, some of which are simply not available under Medicare. These individuals made a commitment to their Nation, trusting that when they needed help the Nation would honor that commitment. The bill that I am recommending today would ensure the highest possible quality of care for these dedicated citizens and their families, who gave so much for us. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Congressional Record.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation today that would authorize the appointment of various health care professionals to policymaking positions in the Department of Defense. My legislation would allow the most qualified individuals from the full range of health professions, including but not limited to dentistry, medicine, nursing, osteopathy and psychology to fill the Army, Navy, and Air Force Surgeon General positions. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Congressional Record.