Ron Paul Quotes.com 2003 Ron Paul Chapter 30 Ron Paul Quotes.com: American Servicemember And Civilian Protection Act Of 2003 6 March 2003 Home Page   Contents Congressional Record   Cached Not linked on Ron Paul’s Congressional website.

American Servicemember And Civilian Protection Act Of 2003 6 March 2003 HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, March 6, 2003 2003 Ron Paul 30:1 Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the “American Servicemember and Civilian Protection Act of 2003.” 2003 Ron Paul 30:2 This bill prohibits funds made available by the United States Government from being used for the establishment or operation of the Court. 2003 Ron Paul 30:3 Perhaps the most significant part of the bill makes clear that any action taken by or on behalf of the Court against members of the United States Armed Forces shall be considered an act of aggression against the United States; and that any action taken by or on behalf of the Court against a United States citizen or national shall be considered an offense against the law of nations. 2003 Ron Paul 30:4 Mr. Speaker, on May 6, 2002, President George W. Bush took the commendable step of repudiating the signature of the United States on the Statute of the International Criminal Court, stating that the United States “can no longer be a party” to the International Criminal Court. He also requested that those states choosing membership in the Court respect the decision of the United States in this matter. 2003 Ron Paul 30:5 Mr. Speaker, the Court is an illegitimate body even by the United Nations’ own standards. The Statute of the International Criminal Court was enacted by a Conference of Diplomats convened by the United Nations General Assembly, whereas according to the UN Charter, the authority to create such a body lies only in the UN Security Council. 2003 Ron Paul 30:6 The International Criminal Court was established contrary to the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. It puts United States citizens in jeopardy of unlawful and unconstitutional criminal prosecution. 2003 Ron Paul 30:7 The International Criminal Court does not provide many of the Constitutional protections guaranteed every American citizen, including the right to trial by jury, the right to face your accuser, and the presumption of innocence, and the protection against double jeopardy. 2003 Ron Paul 30:8 Members of the United States Armed Forces are particularly at risk for politically motivated arrests, prosecutions, fines, and imprisonment for acts engaged in for the protection of the United States. These are the same brave men and women who place their lives on the line to protect and defend our Constitution. Do they not deserve the full protections of that same Constitution? 2003 Ron Paul 30:9 Last year Congress passed the American Servicemembers’ Protection Act within the Defense Authorization bill. Commendable as that effort was, the fact of the matter is that because of the numerous loopholes and exemptions in that legislation, our servicemembers are still not protected from the probing arms of the International Criminal Court. American citizens have absolutely no protection under last year’s legislation. This is simply unacceptable. That is why I am introducing this legislation that makes the position of the United States clear: we will protect our servicemembers and citizens from this illegal court. 2003 Ron Paul 30:10 Mr. Speaker, I hope all members of this body will join me in opposing this illegitimate and illegal court by cosponsoring the “American Servicemember and Civilian Protection Act of 2003.”

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