News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

November 21, 1996

HARMY BRIEFS HARMAN AND NATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE
ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION

Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), a member of the House National Security Committee, will help lead Congress' monitoring of the Army's investigation of sexual misconduct at its training facilities in Maryland and Missouri.

"The allegations of rape and sexual misconduct at Aberdeen Proving Ground Ordnance Training Center, Maryland, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, are deeply disturbing, both because of their criminal nature and because of the breach of trust involved," Harman said. "Service in the military and effectiveness in the field require a high level of trust between service members and drill instructors, and this trust was violated by one or more individuals at these facilities."

Harman's comments came after a briefing for members of the Committee given by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Sara Lister and senior Army officials. Harman also said that it is equally important that Army officials look for instances of misconduct at all training facilities, since the system to prevent sexual misconduct which broke down at Aberdeen and Ft. Leonard is in place service-wide.

As part of the National Committee's oversight, Harman joins Reps. Tillie Fowler (R-FL) and Steve Buyer (R-IN) in monitoring the investigation. The three Members immediately announced plans to lead a Congressional visit to Aberdeen on December 11th, a date selected so as not to intefere with the Army's criminal investigation.

"Our oversight will continue throughout the 105th Congress," Harman said, "even after we are satisfied that all appropriate actions are being taken to address these issues. Only with continuing vigilance can we assure all Americans that there is no ambiguity in the military's policy that there is zero tolerance' of sexual harassment."