Guantanamo Detainees to Receive Military Trials

Floor Speech

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, The Washington Post is correct today by headlining "Obama allows indefinite detention," citing "Guantanamo Bay Order Marks Shift" as the "U.S. also plans to resume trials by military commissions."

I would like to commend the President for stating the administration will resume trials by military commissions for detainees that pose a threat to national security. Civilian courts were never the proper venue to try these enemy combatants. In the future, I hope the President will work with Congress in creating a comprehensive plan for the detention and prosecution of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay as we face the global war on terrorism.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know firsthand of the professionalism of our dedicated military personnel at Guantanamo. I recently visited the facilities in January, led by Chairman Buck McKeon; and in July 2005 with former Chairman Duncan Hunter. Guantanamo Bay is a world-class detention facility to protect American families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

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