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Bill proposes moment of silence per month

A North Carolina lawmaker wants the House of Representatives to have a moment of silence one day each month in recognition of troops wounded and killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Rep. Walter Jones, a Republican whose congressional district includes Camp Lejuene and the New River Marine Corps Air Station, said he is simply looking to send a signal to the military community that members of Congress are aware of their sacrifices.

Jones, who served in the North Carolina National Guard, has introduced a resolution calling for the change in House procedures and plans to take his cause directly to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

“I don’t see how anyone could oppose this,” he said.

Jones, serving his seventh term in Congress, is a member of the House Armed Services Committee best known for his opposition to U.S. military operations in Iraq. He has called since 2005 for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

That position has not seemed to hurt him in North Carolina’s 3rd District, despite the fact it is filled with service members and military retirees.

“A moment of silence each month in the U.S. House of Representatives to honor America’s service members who have been killed or wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan would serve as a solemn thank you from a grateful nation,” Jones said. “I believe this is a resolution that all members of the House can support, and I am hopeful that the leadership of the House Rules Committee will move quickly in passing this resolution.”

The House begins each legislative day with the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Congressional Record is filled with tributes to service members, including eulogies for those who have died and tributes to those who have retired after long periods of service or have significant accomplishments.