Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. statement, April 29, 1997

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Richard Cross April 29, 1997 202-225-3061 STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. REGARDING DELMAR SIMPSON VERDICT “When allegations of sexual misconduct and rape by drill sergeants at the Army Ordnance Center and School at Aberdeen Proving Ground were first made public last November, I expressed my belief that the military criminal justice system be allowed to run its course. “Today, in the case of Staff Sergeant Delmar Simpson, that system has yielded a verdict. After listening to and carefully weighing all the evidence, a military jury has found Staff Sergeant Simpson guilty on 1 8 of 19 counts of rape. “Rape is reprehensible. The fact that Simpson preyed on women under his command only magnifies the intensity of his crimes. “People who wear our nation’s uniform have a responsibility to abide by the highest personal standard of conduct. That responsibility begins with their subordinates. Violating this trust is an affront to everyone who wears the uniform. “The Army Ordnance Center and School, under the leadership of Major General Robert Shadley, has taken a number of quick, proactive steps in response to the problems reported at Aberdeen and other military installations. I commend these efforts. “I have visited Aberdeen Proving Ground many times. In my view, there is no finer military installation in the United States. Today’s verdict should not, by any means, detract from or diminish the outstanding contribution which APG’s many civilian and military employees make to protecting our c nation’s security.”