[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H14875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        OUR COUNTRY AND OUR TROOPS DESERVE CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT

  (Mr. EDWARDS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Members of this House, 
Republicans and Democrats alike, cast votes of conscience on our 
mission to Bosnia. Some Members endorsed the mission, some expressed 
serious concerns, and some opposed it altogether. That is the way 
democracy should work. But there can be no excuse, there can be no 
justification, there can be no rationalization for prohibiting this 
House last night, which the gentleman from California [Mr. Baker], did, 
from having a unanimous vote in support of our troops that are already 
in Bosnia.
  Let me read the resolution the gentleman from California [Mr. Baker], 
and his colleagues who supported him killed last night on this floor:

       Resolved: That the House of Representatives unequivocally 
     supports the men and women of the United States Armed Forces 
     who are carrying out their mission in support of peace in 
     Bosnia and Herzegovina with professional excellence, 
     dedicated patriotism, and exemplary bravery.

  For anyone to stop this simple resolution is at best a lapse in 
judgment and, at worst, mindless partisanship. Our country and our 
troops deserve better than that.

                          ____________________