From the moment I first introduced language to prohibit requiring or strongly encouraging our military women to wear abayas, both Mr. Hostettler and Ms. Wilson were by my side.  As we negotiated with the Committee, maneuvered through the Rules Committee, floor consideration and final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, the three of us illustrated the power of bipartisanship and determination.  I am truly honored to have worked with such knowledgeable, dedicated members of this body.

I also want to thank Chairman McHugh and members of the Armed Services Committee for their understanding and willingness to work with us to include this language in the Defense bill.  To clarify for the Congressional Record, it is the intent of the House that this language be included in the final Defense bill that is passed by both chambers and enacted into law.

One last thank you before I highlight the importance of this legislation, and that is for my constituent, Lieutenant Colonel Martha McSally.  Many of you know her as the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat as well as leader in the effort to change the military’s policy of requiring military service women in Saudi Arabia to wear abayas.  For seven years this battle was fought!  She is a remarkable person whose patriotism is undeniable, integrity unquestionable and determination to do what is right, unparalleled.  I am deeply honored to sponsor this legislation today to help Lieutenant Colonel McSally end this battle once and for all.

My colleagues have heard me say it numerous times before: women make first-class soldiers and should not be treated like second-class citizens.

The bill we consider today will prohibit the military from requiring, or formally or informally compelling, servicewomen in Saudi Arabia to wear abayas and would block the military from making regular procurements of abayas.  This sends a strong message.  It says Congress will no longer tolerate forcing our dedicated military service women -- who are on the front lines, risking their lives, fighting to protect our freedom and democracy, and to defend Saudi Arabia -- to wear a religious garment of a faith most of them do not follow.

As you can see from this picture, the abaya and headscarf cover the entire body - head to toe.  Our female service women stationed in Saudi Arabia are wearing this and having the most radical of Islamic beliefs imposed upon them even though the State Department does not require or encourage any of its employees to wear the abaya.  It does not require its employees to wear abayas while on duty precisely because they are representing the United States.  Not even the spouses and dependents of the State Department staff wear the abayas, nor did Mrs. Cheney or former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during their visits to Saudi Arabia.  

The government of Saudi Arabia also does not require non-Muslim women to wear abayas.  My colleagues may be interested to know that even General Schwarzkopf did not issue any mandate requiring the service women to wear abayas during the Gulf War.

Male service members are not required to wear the abaya, grow beards or embrace any Islamic religious beliefs in this way, so neither should the women.  Forcing our female troops to wear the abaya has a negative impact on our recruitment and diminishes morale, unit cohesion and the chain of command headed by female service members.  

Most of all, this practice is completely unnecessary.  

Mr. Chairman, this is about leadership.  This is about sending a message to the world that America treats its citizens equally.  And this message comes from the top.  On November 17th of last year, President Bush launched a world-wide effort to focus on the brutality against women and children by the al-Qaida terrorist network and the Tablian.  Under this regime, women were denied access to doctors and education, and could not work outside the home, or even leave their homes by themselves. This severe repression of women under the guise of religion masked an insidious discrimination that neither America, nor many Muslims, condone.  In fact, most of the Islamic world recognizes women make important contributions in their societies.

That is why America must affirmatively reject subjecting our military service women to this discrimination.  That is why I have fought to bring this bill to the floor today.

I urge my colleagues to join me, Mr. Hostettler and Ms. Wilson in passing this legislation and ending the demeaning practice of making only American service women wear the abaya.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.  I reserve the balance of my time.