In a fit of letter writing regarding the ban of homosexuals in the
military I sent letters to President Clinton, Senators Nunn (Ga.) and
Coverdell (Ga.), Representative Lewis (Ga.) and General Powell.

I received the same letter as everybody from President Clinton and
also received a positive letter from Representative Lewis (Ga.).
Yesterday I received the following letter from Senator Sam Nunn (Ga.):

-------------------------------cut here for letter--------------------


                          United States Senate
                         Washington, D.C. 20510
                             March 22, 1993



Mr. Kirk Johanning
<address deleted>

Dear Kirk:
   Thank you for contacting me regarding the military's policy
excluding homosexuals from serving in the armed forces.

     In general, I believe we should encourage every American to
serve their country in some capacity, and I applaud the
patriotism of all persons, including homosexuals, who desire to
serve our nation in the military.  I have no doubt that
homosexuals have served and are today serving in the armed
forces, but most of them are not openly disclosing their sexual
orientation.  However, I also believe that we should give very
careful consideration to the advise of our military commanders on
this subject.  Although we have a volunteer force, there are
still important and clear differences between civilian life and
military service.

     Our national security requires that the armed forces
maintain a high level of good order and discipline.  In order to 
maintain military effectiveness, members of the armed forces give
up many of the constitutional rights that their civilian
counterparts take for granted.  The need for discipline, 
including adherence to the chain of command, means that military
members' first amendment rights of speech and association are
limited.  Service members are also subject to searches and
command inspections in living quarters that would not meed the
privacy standards and and warrant requirements of the fourth
amendment that we take for granted in civilian society.  Military
personnel face involuntary assignments that require living and
working in close proximity with others under conditions that
afford little or no privacy.  Particularly when military units
deploy, living conditions --from foxholes to cramped quarters on
ships --are frequently spartan and primitive.

     We have made important improvements in the quality of life
in the military and in the rights afforded to service members,
but in the basic nature of military service --preparation for, and
participation in combat --means that service members must
continue to live in a closely regulated, highly regimented
environment.  General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff, has stated that , in view of the unique conditions of




March 22, 1993
Page 2



military service, active and open homosexuality by members of the 
armed forces would have a negative effect on military morale and 
discipline.

     I agree with General Powell.  I support the current policy
of the Defense Department excluding homosexuals from serving in
the armed forces.  I also believe, however, that we have to
listen to other points of view on this matter. That is exactly
what will happen in the coming months under the compromise on
this issue announced by President Clinton and endorsed by the 
Congress.

     The compromise provides a six-month review period for both
the President and the Congress to review the Defense Department's
current policy.  During the review period, anyone who engages in
homosexual conduct will be completely discharges from the
military.  Anyone who admits to being homosexual, but whose case
does not involve homosexual acts, will be separated from active
duty and placed in a non-pay status with the Standby Reserve.
Military commanders may reassign individuals involved in
homosexual cases for the benefit of the individual or the unit
concerned.

     New recruits will no longer be asked about their sexual
orientation as part of the enlistment process.  Instead, the
military services will put specific and appropriate emphasis on
informing all military members of the laws and regulations on
sexual conduct which apply to them.

     In my view, this agreement permits the review to go forward
without compromising longstanding Department of Defense 
policies.

     This spring the Armed Services Committee will begin
thorough, fair and comprehensive hearings on this subject.  We
will hear from senior military and civilian leaders of the
Defense Department.  I also want to hear directly from the people 
who would be most affected by changing the current policy:  the
men and women serving in the ranks of all of the military
services.  We will make every effort to hear from those who want 
to change the current policy as well as those who want to keep
the current policy.  Enclosed is a floor speech I gave which
outlines a number of questions that will be addressed during the
course of these hearings.

     This is a difficult and emotional issue.  Every man and
woman in this country has a right to be respected.  Our 
Constitution enshrines individual rights and liberties.  Our
Constitution also underscores the essential role of government in




March 22, 1993
Page 3



providing for the common defense.  When the interests of some
individuals bear upon the cohesion and effectiveness of an
institution on which our national security depends, we must move
very cautiously.  This caution is prudence, not prejudice.

     I appreciate your taking the time to share your vies with
me on this important matter.

                           Sincerely,
                           
                           Sam         <signature machine>

                           Sam Nunn


SN/cch
Enclosure

--------------------------end of letter--------------------------------

I have tried as much as possible to preserve the actual look of the
letter as well.  Any typos are mine.

He also included the floor speech mentioned above, but it is way too
long to type in.  The header of it makes it look like it is something
that might be obtained by everybody:

	             Congressional Record
    Proceedings and Debates of the 103rd Congress, First Session
Vol. 139        Washington, Wednesday, January 27, 1993         No. 9


So who thinks that he is going to change his mind after the 'hearings'?
-- 
                             __________________
                            |__________________|
Kirk Johanning              |_____\      /_____|   The opinions expressed
Hewlett-Packard             |______\    /______|   above are mine and may  
Response Center - Atlanta   |_______\  /_______|   not reflect those of my
kfj@hpuerca.atl.hp.com      |________\/________|   employer or anyone else
                            |__________________|
