The Burton Blog

Burton Statement On Memorial Day and Remembering our Nation’s Fallen

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement in observance of this year’s Memorial Day weekend:

“For almost ten years, our Nation’s fighting men and women have been serving bravely to keep us free from terror and in defense of liberty and freedom all over the world.  Yet in the pursuit of those who wish to harm us, many have paid the ultimate price by giving their lives to preserve the freedoms we all cherish. It is to the fallen, and their loved ones, that I wish to extend my deepest heartfelt gratitude. 

“As we attend family picnics, parades and other ceremonies this weekend, I hope all of us remember that, for some, everyday is Memorial Day.  There are families in all of our communities that will always leave the light on for a mother or a father, a brother or a sister or an uncle or an aunt who is not coming home. The words of President Abraham Lincoln ring just as true today as they did in the hallowed Soldier's Cemetery in Gettysburg when he said “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

"Since last Memorial Day, the following Hoosiers perished in the service of our nation:

Clements, Chad, 26, Army 08/30/2010

"My thoughts and prayers remain with our Nation’s heroes and their families, and I speak for the Hoosiers I represent when I say, thank you for serving our Nation and protecting our heritage of freedom."

Rep. Burton Statement on the Killing of Osama bin Laden

Indianapolis, IN. – Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05), senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement concerning the death of Osama Bin Laden.

“Today is a great a day for America.  Our Nation’s greatest enemy has been brought to justice.  But we must never forget those who lost loved ones on that fateful morning of September 11th. 

“I want to commend our Nation’s military, the Navy Seals and the CIA who have sacrificed so much for their work in locating and eliminating Osama bin Laden.

“But the war on terror is not over and the fight against al-Qaeda will continue.  We must remain ever vigilant in keeping our country safe as we continue to pursue those who wish to destroy freedom.

Take the "Save the Navy SEALS" petition to 15,000

About a week and a half ago we launched www.savethenavyseals.com to help collect signatures in support of the three Navy SEALs who captured Ahmed Hashim Abed. Abed is the mastermind behind the brutal mutilation and murder of four American civilians in Fallujah in 2004 who now claims he got a bloody lip (or was punched in the stomach) while being detained by the SEALs.  As a reward for their efforts, the SEAL's are now being court martialed.

We've now collected over 10,000 signatures and want to get 5,000 more!  Will you help us by emailing your friends and family and asking them to sign on?

Dan appeared on Fox News to help promote the effort:

Protecting Our Navy SEALs

Chuck Hustmyre recognizes Dan in his article "Stop Prosecuting Our American Heroes" for being one of the few to stand up for our Navy SEALs.  Here is an excerpt from the article.

Dan Burton, a Republican congressman from Indiana, called the charges crazy. "I think that is insane," Burton said. "What kind of a message are we sending to our troops in the field when they do their duty, risk their lives, capture a terrorist that's wanted, one of the top 10 terrorists, and we're going to court-martial them? I don't care if they broke the guy's nose or broke both his arms and his legs. This is insane."

"...We know they have a missile that has pinpoint accuracy..."

On May 20th, Iran released footage of its test missile . Dan Robinson from Voice of America News shares the urgency that Republican Congressional Members have for missile self-defense systems, specifically for Israel.  Here is the urgency that Congressman Dan Burton expressed:

Republican Representative Dan Burton said Congress should send a signal in every piece of legislation it approves that Tehran's ballistic missile and nuclear aspirations are unacceptable.

"Now we know they have a missile that has pinpoint accuracy that can reach Europe and Israel, and [Iranian President] Ahmadinejad has said he wants to see Israel wiped off the face of the Earth, and I think it is extremely important that we send a very strong message by adopting this amendment to this bill that we strongly support a cooperative effort to make sure we have anti-ballistic missile technology that Israel can use to knock down those missiles if they are fired at Israel," said Dan Burton.

Dan Burton speaks to the ESGR

Congressman Burton spoke to the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Friday at the Indiana War Memorial.  It was part of a support signing ceremony that local employer's participated in.

Note:  The ESGR exists to support Guardsmen and Reservists as well as their employers.  They are under strain as many of our soldiers in Iraq have had to leave their jobs.  Employers must find temporary solutions while their employees are gone.

Under a portrait of General Douglas MacArthur, Dan thanked the military personnel for their service, but especially the businesses and corporations honored Friday that are outstanding examples of supporting our war effort back at home.

On any given day, there are 110,000 guardsmen and reservists currently deployed around the world in 30 different countries.  Indiana is fourth in the nation when it comes to supplying these soldiers.  Over 21,000 of these soldiers deployed since 9/11 have been from Indiana.  Indiana also leads the nation in recruiting.

Charlie White, councilman from the town of Fishers, was there to accept an award on behalf of the Hamilton County Commissioners.  Several others represented communities and businesses around central Indiana.  Many are going the extra mile supporting these soldier's families by extending health care coverage even though the soldier's are overseas.  Others still pay a stipend to families.

TBB was humbled by the generosity of these companies and wants to join Dan in thanking these folks for all they do to support our country.

Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette: Burton warns against pullout

Lighting has struck twice folks!  Both the Indianapolis Star AND the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette have taken time away from shilling for the left to give our man a fair shake in an article.  We're pinching ourselves!

The top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Iraq agreed Wednesday with a Hoosier Republican's assessment that a hasty withdrawal from Iraq would leave a vacuum that terrorists would fill.

If U.S. troops pull out “before conditions are met,” Ambassador Ryan Crocker said to Rep. Dan Burton, R-5th, “you would see a spiral down, and that would lead to expanded sectarian conflict at levels we have not seen before. It would bring neighbors, especially Iran, into the fight, and it would create space for al-Qaida to take root on Iraqi soil.”

Burton said it's important for the public to hear that message because the war is unpopular, and as people choose their next president, they need to also choose between “a precipitous withdrawal” and “hanging in there and defeating al-Qaida and the terrorists.”

In a second day of congressional hearings on the status of the war in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus also agreed with Burton, citing risks of leaving too soon.

Dan Burton: Stay tough on terrorism in Iraq

The Indianapolis Star took some time away from childish editorializing to actually do some reporting today.

Reps. Dan Burton and Mike Pence warned Wednesday against the United States leaving Iraq too soon.

"What would happen if we had a very precipitous pullout, or if we hung in there to win this battle?" Burton, R-Indianapolis, asked at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.

Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador in Iraq, responded that a change in the administration's approach to troop reductions "as conditions permit" could "risk failure in Iraq."

"My judgment is that where conditions are at this time, that you would see a spiral down," Crocker said. "And that would lead to expanded sectarian conflict at levels we probably have not seen before. It would bring the neighbors, especially Iran, into the fight. And it would create space for al-Qaida to root itself on Arab soil."

Burton said it's important for the public to hear that because the war is unpopular, and the country is about to pick a new president who could change policy.

Check out our issue sites

A while back we created three web sites covering a number of issues important to 5th district voters.  Don't hesitate to check them out again.  We've made some slight updates and changes.

In the last few months we've got quite a few comments about the web sites, particularly from those who are pro-life and pro-gun.

Pro-Lifers for Dan Burton (Right to Life Issues)
Gun Owners for Dan Burton (2nd Amendment Issues)
Patriots for Dan Burton (Illegal Immigration and National Defense Issues)

Dan Burton editorial in Miami Herald

TBB noticed that the Miami Herald printed this great editorial authored by the Boss.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are once again making major headlines -- this time with what appears to be backing by the Venezuelan and Ecuadorean governments. The FARC is well known for a large array of activities, including bombings, murder, mortar attacks, narco-trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, hijacking, as well as guerrilla and conventional military action against Colombian political, military and economic targets.

These actions are indefensible on any grounds and, when carried out by armed insurgents in such a manner, are acts of terrorism. In 1997 the FARC was added to the State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations, securing a spot on the original FTOs list along with such organizations as Hamas and later joined by al Qaeda. Which is what makes the comments by Presidents Rafael Correa of Ecuador and Hugo Chávez of Venezuela as reported in the press -- expressing outrage in response to Colombia's successful attack on a top FARC rebel leader and a large group of his guerrilla lackeys -- such an odd reaction, as well as quite telling.

Leaders across the world who aid, abet and defend terrorism work only to crush their people's hopes and dreams of a peaceful, prosperous future. Leaders who choose to promote peace and democracy over terrorism and war should be applauded and rewarded. This is why the U.S. Congress' decision to hold up the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which was renegotiated to include additional labor and environmental regulations to appease influential groups in the U.S. Congress, is also an odd reaction.

The FARC has been terrorizing the Colombian people for more than 40 years, executing their missions with alarming precision while maintaining their prevalence and ability to garner around $1 billion in yearly income; feeding the insecurity in Colombia while fueling the drug war that the FARC perpetuates. The FARC's public mission is to overthrow the Colombian government and establish a communist-agrarian state.

However, despite all of these obstacles and more, Colombia has progressed by leaps and bounds over the past eight years. Roads are now open, displaced farmers are returning to their lands and economic growth topped more than 6.8 percent in 2007, the highest in eight years. The observance of human rights has improved, standards of governance have been enhanced and the fight against narcotics trafficking and illegal armed groups continues unabated. Citizens and foreign travelers alike have gained some precious security in their mobility.

Yet the FARC remains practically unscathed. In March 1999, the FARC executed three U.S. Indian rights activists in Venezuelan territory after it kidnapped them in Colombia. In February 2003, the FARC captured and continues to hold three U.S. contractors, and it killed one other American and a Colombian when their plane crashed in Florencia, Colombia. Besides kidnapping for ransom, the FARC has well-documented ties to the full range of narcotics trafficking activities, including taxation, cultivation and distribution.

The U.S. Congress cannot continue to sit idly by while threats of military action are pursued by Ecuador and Venezuela against a true visionary leader and ally as is found in President Alvaro Uribe. We are asking our allies around the world to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us to fight terrorism, and we must not abandon the people of Colombia, who are doing this very task.

There is something that can prove more powerful and lasting than acts of terrorism and war, and that is inclusion in the international arena. It is time for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to stop delaying a vote on the ratification of the Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement. Chávez has clarified that either the United States must bolster true leaders in the region who have stood up for freedom and democracy, or we will be left to watch the southern portion of our hemisphere crumble into disarray before our eyes. It is now up to the leadership in the U.S. Congress to choose our path.

U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., is ranking member of the International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.