State Rep Who Served in Iraq War Says Congresswoman and Fellow State Rep Should Apologize

For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 21, 2005
Contact: Rep Boccieri

State Rep Who Served in Iraq War Says Congresswoman

and Fellow State Representative Should Apologize to All Veterans

COLUMBUS - State Rep John Boccieri (D-New Middletown), an Iraq War Veteran, is disappointed in his former colleague of the Ohio House and now Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio).  At issue were insulting words the Freshman Congresswoman lobbed at Vietnam veteran James Murtha (D-Pa.) referencing a conversation she had with current Ohio state Rep. Danny R. Bubp of West Union, a Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. 

According to transcripts from the Congressional Record, Congresswoman Schmidt said, "He (State Representative Bubp) asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message - that cowards cut and run, Marines never do," said Schmidt, of Miami Township near Cincinnati. "Danny and the rest of America, and the world want the assurance from this body that we will see this through."

State Rep Boccieri who returned in September from his fourth tour in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom said, "My colleague, Rep Bubp is out of line and so was Congresswoman Schmidt.  To call a decorated serviceman a coward because he shares a differing view about Iraq War policy demeans all veterans and soldiers in uniform today."

Her remarks caused a near riot in the halls of Congress as firery debate began about Congressman Murtha's call for a timetable to remove troops from Iraq.  The Speaker Pro Tempore of the U.S. House issued a 10-minute recess as Congresswoman Schmidt was silenced.  Some members called for her remarks to be stricken from the official transcript but Republicans ruled that the remarks would not be suspended.

After reconvening the House, Congresswoman Schmidt apologized to lawmakers, saying that her statements were not directed at any member of the House. "I did not intend to suggest that they applied to any member, most especially the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania. I therefore ask for unanimous consent that my words be withdrawn," Schmidt said.

"Their style of politics attempts to demean the character of people with different opinions and brand them as unpatriotic.  I find it ironic that at a time when American soldiers are fighting for democracy in Iraq, we are experiencing such a confining view of democracy right here in our own country. Debate is healthy and is at the core of a robust democracy. The debate about Iraq is appropriate and verbal attacks waged against a decorated veteran who chose to put his life on the line for all of us is cheap and insulting" Boccieri said.

Rep Boccieri serves with Rep Bubp in the State Legislature and on the Ohio Military Reserve Homeland Security Study Commission.
 
"I have the utmost respect for State Representative Bubp's service to our country and would share this same sentiment if I felt he was being unjustly attacked.  Representative Bubp should follow the lead of a regretful Congresswoman - Jean Schmidt and rescind his disparaging remarks made to Congressman Murtha, and in my judgment, all of America's veterans" he concluded.

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