Congressional Record, Volume 144 Issue 153 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)

[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 153 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H11736-H11748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind all Members that they
should not make reference to Senators' comments.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), a Vietnam veteran.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the
time.
I want to make two quick points on the floor this morning. The first
point is that this is a representative body, based on constitutional
provisions that provide for differences of opinion. The strength of
this country is that we, as Representatives, critically analyze the
decisions of other elected officials and even the President. So for us
to discuss the issue of an invasion of Iraq is totally proper.
The other issue I want to bring up is that all of us, regardless of
our party

[[Page H11737]]

and regardless of our perspective on this issue, have total and
absolute support when we focus on those troops in the Persian Gulf.
Those troops in the Persian Gulf have our heartfelt, secure support
that what they are doing is just. And we wish them an absolute
successful mission and we await their arrival back home.
We wish them all a happy holiday.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).
(Mr. Farr of California asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the troops
and in support of the Commander in Chief of the troops, the President
of the United States.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).
(Mr. ETHERIDGE asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of our Commander in
Chief, the President, and our soldiers who are on the front line today
in the Gulf and in Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the military strike by
American and allied forces against the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq.
For far too long, Saddam Hussein has felt free to defy the
international community. For far too long, he has menaced his own
people and threatened his neighbors in the region. For far too long, he
has failed to live up to his obligations under the terms that ended the
Persian Gulf War. For far too long, he has sought to develop weapons of
mass destruction and the means to deliver them. Our exertion of
military strength against his regime is an appropriate step to
communicate to Saddam that he cannot continue his outlaw ways with
impunity.
All Americans should pray for the safe return of our men and women in
uniform as they embark on this inherently dangerous but necessary,
mission. Let me state clearly that no one bears any ill will toward the
Iraqi people. In fact, the actions of Saddam Hussein and his regime
have long constituted the greatest threat to the security of the Iraqi
people. In the spirit of the holidays, let us all hope that today's
action may advance the day when Peace on Earth can become reality.
As a veteran of the United States Army, I know that our military
personnel will perform their duties with professionalism, diligence and
bravery. I am also confident that the leadership of my fellow North
Carolinian, General Hugh Shelton, will help bring this action to
successful conclusion. I call on all Americans to support this mission
and our men and women in uniform.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), distinguished ranking member on the
Committee on International Relations.
Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend particularly the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and a number of my
colleagues on the other side for their actions here today. There is a
difference in the timing of the use of force. I think there is no
question that many of the colleagues on the Republican side of the
aisle and some on the Democratic side of the aisle would have acted
earlier. We will never know whether that would have been a better
policy or a worst policy policy.
One of the reasons I trust this President's use of force is that he
has consistently been reluctant to use it and with the post-Soviet era,
where we no longer can intimidate our friends and allies that if you do
not go along with us, you will be overrun by the Communist hoards, it
has been his reluctance to use force that has given him wide public and
international support when he used it.
This President was elected and spent years trying to solve the
Yugoslavian situation without force. Not until 1995 did he begin
substantial air strikes that finally brought people to the table and
the Dayton agreement of 1995.

{time} 1200

In Haiti the deadline for force was September 18. General Colin
Powell, Sam Nunn and former President Carter called the President up
and said, give us 24 hours more. It is a hard thing to do. The whole
world is watching. Is he blinking? Does he really hope to get an
agreement without bloodshed?
The President took that political risk, and 24 hours later American
forces could land without any fire, without the loss of life on our
side or theirs. And the same is here. The President could have said,
gee, the letter had not reached me and therefore the strikes occurred
on November 15. But I think what the President did again is recognize
the world's concern about the one superpower and so he sent a very
clear message, I will take every possible step not to use force.
When Saddam Hussein acted again, I met with the President, and I said
this and I think every member of this House ought to understand it, the
only considerations in this decision were and ought to be American
national security and the security of our forces in the region. We have
a Secretary of Defense who is a Republican. We have a Secretary of
State who has an outstanding record unmatched. They understood and they
spoke to us, telling us this decision was made on the facts. The
military individuals, our top foreign policy and defense advisors said
take this action now, the President has done the right thing. And I
applaud again my friends on the other side of the aisle for their
support of the Commander in Chief and our troops in the field.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
(Mr. DIAZ-BALART asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the armed forces
of the United States of America and specifically House Resolution 612.
Mr. Speaker, At this extraordinary time in our nation's history, no
one should doubt for a moment that Americans are a people of strong
resolve and a people who take our country's international
responsibilities seriously. Last night, like every other time in the
past, the men and women of our Armed Services answered to call to duty
and risked their own lives to preserve our freedoms.
We owe them a debt of gratitude. It is fitting, therefore, that we
gather today to express the support of the American people for their
service and for their mission. And we do this unreservedly.
Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator, has continued his provocation and
intransigence in the face of international condemnation and warnings.
It is imperative that he not be allowed to manufacture weapons of mass
destruction. He has, since 1980 demonstrated his willingness to attack
his neighbors and threaten the peace and stability of the Middle East.
This in turn is a direct threat to the national interests of the United
States.
From all reports, our military forces have acted with bravery and
professionalism to minimize injury to Iraqi civilians. We are all aware
that taking such care often places our own pilots at greater threat to
themselves. They are to be commended for their actions that are above
and beyond the call of duty.
Mr. Speaker, especially at this time of year we pray for peace on
earth and goodwill for all mankind. However, so long as tyrants
continue to oppress their own people and threaten the peace of the
world, we must not rest.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with the families of the men and
women of our Armed Forces who are separated during this holiday season.
We thank them for their sacrifices.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New
Mexico (Mrs. Wilson).
Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers today are with
other sailors, airmen, and soldiers in the Persian Gulf and their
families. Our support of them is unconditional. We wish them success in
their missions and pray that every one of them will return home safely
to their families, friends and loved ones.
We cannot allow Saddam Hussein to have nuclear, chemical, or
biological weapons or the means to deliver them. He has shown himself
willing to use them, including against his own people.
I would also like to say a word about the family who await anxiously
at home today wondering if their loved ones will survive, wishing that
they were home out of harm's way preparing for the holidays. Operations
like this are often hardest on the families, and as a nation we must
rally around them. We have an obligation to keep them informed as much
as we can and supported by their nation and by their neighbors.
As a veteran myself and the only woman veteran to ever serve in the
United States Congress, I also want to remind everyone that our
obligation does not end when the guns fall silent.

[[Page H11738]]

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).
(Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, as a
member of the Committee on National Security, I rise today in firm
support of our soldiers and sailors in the Gulf. The American people
have asked these men and women to put their lives on the line to defend
freedom all over the world, and it is entirely fitting that today in
this House we dedicate ourselves to support their cause.
My colleagues, in the post Cold War theater of our country, we are
faced with new threats of all kinds. Rogue nations that have the
capability of creating biological, nuclear and chemical weapons
comprise the next generation of challenges that our Armed Services
face.
Saddam Hussein has found out last night why he should never take our
national commitment and dedication to the preservation of peace for
granted. Time and time again we warned him that if he persisted on this
course, that if he prevented the agreement of inspections, and that if
he continued to snub the wishes of the international community, then
the United States would let loose the awesome power of its military to
force Iraq's compliance with U.N. resolutions.
Our nation has sent a clear signal to the international community
that Saddam's kind of terrorism will not be tolerated. The careless
manufacture of these weapons of mass destruction is an affront to all
civilized societies. While the people of Iraq search for food, Saddam
Hussein searches for a new palace to build for himself once again.
These weeks are going to take another important step to changing that
situation. Saddam Hussein's days should be numbered and we must commit
ourselves to the installation of a fair and democratic government in
Iraq.
In conclusion, the President has acted with leadership, he has taken
the appropriate action; and it is clear by today's action that the
Congress stands by our men and women in uniform and the President of
the United States. I want to thank the leadership for setting aside our
other business so that we can tend to this important issue of life and
death.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lewis), the chairman elect of our appropriations
Subcommittee on National Security.
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my
appreciation to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and to
the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for their marvelous
leadership insofar as our national security is concerned.
Today, I simply want to rise and say to my colleagues that today we
are seeing the Congress of the United States at its finest. We come
together in support of the Commander in Chief and in support of our
troops when their lives are put in danger. In defense of freedom, we
are the leader of the world.
In these days ahead of us, we are going to have more difficult times
in which we will see some division in the House. But at this moment,
Democrats and Republicans alike are standing hand in hand in support of
this resolution, which is an expression of bipartisan and nonpartisan
support of our troops facing danger overseas and defense of freedom.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire at this moment just how much
time remains, please.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Skelton) has 11 minutes remaining, and the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Spence) has 12\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Brown).
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the
President's decision to take action in Iraq and in strong support of
the troops who have once again shown that we have the finest military
in the world.
I want to recognize the units from my area of Jacksonville, Florida,
including two bomber units from Cecil Field Naval Air Station; Viking,
Shadow, and Seahawk units from Naval Air Station Jacksonville; and the
missile cruisers U.S.S. Philippine Sea and U.S.S. Gettysburg based at
Naval Station Mayport. I salute their service and offer a prayer of
support for their families here and at home.
Mr. Speaker, it is very important that we put political rhetoric and
fighting aside as we once again face down the enemy of peace, stability
and democracy. We must be a strong and unified nation during this time,
and I urge my colleagues to support our President and support our
troops.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the chairman of our Subcommittee on Research
and Development.
(Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank our distinguished
chairman for allowing me this opportunity to speak, and I thank our
ranking member for his leadership on defense issues.
I rise in full and strong support of this measure. But I want to
remind our colleagues that while we are here to state our support for
the troops in words, we need much more than words in the current
environment in this city.
We are going through massive problems right now, Mr. Speaker, as the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Spence) have said over and over again. This is in fact
our 27th deployment of our troops in 6 years. Each of these deployments
has not been planned for, has not been budgeted for; and, therefore, we
have had to take money out of modernization and quality of life to pay
to put the troops in harm's way. And when our colleagues vote in favor
of this amendment today, this measure, I would ask our colleagues to
understand, this is not just a cheerleading session where we stand up
and go, rah-rah, yeah for the troops. We need the funding to support
these troops. We need to put the dollars on the table. Because when we
send these bombers into Iraq, when we send these troops overseas, there
are added costs that we do not have the money for.
And while I stand here fully unequivocally supporting the deployment
that is taking place today, I ask my colleagues to understand that they
need to provide the support for the funding shortfalls that will
continue in the next year.
I also rise to say that, Mr. Speaker, this action I support today but
it should have taken place a year ago. In fact, I would like to insert
into the Record an article from the Washington Times where it was cited
that at least on 6 occasions, beginning in November of 1997, the
Secretary of State or other top administration officials sought to stop
the U.N. inspector from moving on surprise inspections in Iraq. We
actually over the past year have stopped the inspection teams. And now
we are saying we must proceed forward very quickly.
Mr. Speaker, I include the following articles:

The interventions included at least six occasions,
beginning in November 1997, in which Secretary of State
Madeleine K. Albright or other top administration officials
sought--with success in each case but one--to persuade chief
U.N. inspector Richard Butler to rescind orders for surprise
searches for weapons of mass destruction or to remove a
controversial inspector from Iraq.

[From the Washington Times, Aug. 31, 1998]

Ritter Gives Reason for Unscom's Plight--Says U.S. Has No Support vs.
Saddam

(By Joyce Howard Price)

U.S. officials are afraid of a confrontation, with Saddam
Hussein because they don't have international support to
enforce access to suspected sites of weapons of mass
destruction, says former U.N. weapons inspector William Scott
Ritter.
``Since April . . . the United States has placed
considerable pressure'' on the U.N. inspection team ``to hold
off from carrying out inspections that could cause a
confrontation with Iraq,'' he said yesterday on ABC's ``This
Week.''
``They are afraid of confrontation because of the
ramifications,'' said the 37-year-old former Marine, who
resigned last week as a weapons inspector.
``Confrontation with Iraq over inspections requires the
United States and the Security Council to live up to their
promise of enforcement . . . in [U.N.] Resolution 1154,'' he

[[Page H11739]]

said, which calls for the ``severest consequences'' if Iraq
does not allow access to suspected sites of nuclear,
biological or chemical weapons.
``Right now I believe that the United States does not want
such confrontation because it believes it cannot muster the
support for such confrontation,'' Mr. Ritter said.
Saddam broke off cooperation Aug. 5 with weapons inspectors
of the U.N. Special Commission, or Unscom.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson,
interviewed on TV talk shows yesterday, rejected Mr. Ritter's
charges that Washington has gone soft.
``There's been no change of policy. . . . The record shows
that the Clinton administration support for Unscom, the
weapons inspectors, has been unparalleled,'' Mr. Richardson
said on NBC's ``Meet the Press.''
``There have been times where timing and tactics had to be
discussed with [chief U.N. weapons inspector Richard] Butler.
But the record shows . . . that because of U.S. action,
inspectors like Scott Ritter were able to conduct their
inspections,'' he said.
On CNN's ``Late Edition,'' Mr. Richardson said ``timing and
tactics'' were discussed as part of efforts to build
international support in the Security Council for the U.S.
position toward Iraq.
``At no time did we go to Butler and say, `Don't inspect,
don't do this,' '' said Mr. Richardson. ``This is a U.N.
decision. This is Butler's decision. He is very
independent.''
Mr. Ritter said U.S. threats of military force earlier this
year, when Iraq denied entrance to some sites and sent
weapons inspectors packing, were not convincing--certainly
not to Saddam.
``There are indications that this saber-rattling was
nothing but a bluff to begin with, an effort to force Saddam
to back down in the face of force,'' Mr. Ritter said on ABC.
``One of the problems is it has to be credible force in
order for Saddam to flinch, and I think the Iraqis just
called the bluff. I don't think there was ever the credible
use of force or threat of use of force.''
Mr. Ritter said last week that at least six intrusive
inspections had been stopped since November under pressure
from Washington. Yesterday, he detailed two instances.
``There was a case in July when we actually deployed a team
of 45 inspectors in the country to carry out inspections . .
. to uncover how Iraq hides these weapons from the Special
Commission, and the United States together with the United
Kingdom intervened and conferred with Richard Butler to put
pressure on him to cancel this inspection, despite the fact
that we had a team in country, ready to go,'' Mr. Ritter
said.
``In August, we had another team deployed, ready to go. We
had very, very good sites, based upon sound intelligence, and
once again . . . the United States, through intervention from
both [Secretary of State] Madeleine Albright and [National
Security Adviser] Sandy Berger, had the inspection first
postponed for a matter of days and then canceled outright.''

Mr. Speaker, we must have a clear and consistent policy with Iraq and
that policy means when Saddam does not comply we move in military, and
I support this. But this action should have taken place months ago and
this action requires our financial support as well as our verbal
support.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Mrs. Meek).
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution. I rise in strong support of our President. I rise in strong
support of our troops.
I have always been a supporter of our military troops. I came through
World War II. I know exactly what it means to protect our country. I
know exactly what it means to be ready. And sometimes I am taken aback
on this floor when I hear many of our well-meaning people on this floor
question things which they have very little background to know about.
We have many experts in this Congress. We need more people who are
willing to say, let's see what the score is, let's look at this thing
and find out what it is all about.
Our President is the Commander in Chief. It is his job to make these
decisions. I am not here to question his decision. I am here to say I
stand behind him and I stand behind those troops. Timing, we are no
experts on timing. We have heard the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We have
heard Secretary Cohen. They are experts. We are merely generalists, Mr.
Speaker.
I stand to support this wonderful resolution brought by the majority
party.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
resolution and strong support of our troops who are in action in the
Persian Gulf.
Today, even amidst a political crisis at home, our military personnel
are engaged in a major operation against the regime of Iraqi dictator
Saddam Hussein. Over the last year, Saddam Hussein has violated the
agreements that he made to end the Gulf War. And I would agree with my
colleague who just stated, the actions taking place today should have
started long ago, because Saddam Hussein was committing these same
violations 6 months ago and 6 weeks ago that he is violating today and
was violating today which precipitated the President's decision to call
in military actions.
Saddam Hussein agreed to give up the right to possess weapons of mass
destruction in order to end the Gulf War 8 years ago. By violating his
pledges that ensured that he gave up those weapons of mass destruction,
he is the one who has called this military action upon his people.
Let us resolve today that we are not the enemies of the people of
Iraq. The people of Iraq are our friends. The Members of Congress have
stated we should, in fact we passed a resolution here and allocated
money to support those people who believe in democracy in Iraq and who
would wish to overthrow Saddam Hussein's vicious regime.
So today, as we tip our hats and as we sing the praises of our
military personnel who are willing to put their lives on the line for
stability and peace in the Gulf which ultimately tied to the security
of the United States of America, let us also resolve that we are for
peace and freedom and we are for the peace and freedom of the people of
Iraq as well and they can join with us and bring about a more peaceful
world and end these military operations by getting rid of the Saddam
Hussein dictatorship. It is that dictatorship that is the enemy of the
people of the United States, not the people of Iraq.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Capps).
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this joint
resolution before us in the House of Representatives that we may speak
as a unified body and give our support to our President, to our Joint
Chiefs of Staff, to our allies who have joined with us in this effort
to curve totalitarianism and to make a strong statement on behalf of
peace.
It is important for us to get behind our troops now and to be unified
as a country that our fighting men and women, and I am thinking
particularly today of those at Vandenburg Air Force Base in my district
and the colonel with whom I spoke this morning, urging those troops
well, knowing that they are giving up their time with their families
over this holiday season. We must be with them in spirit and offer our
prayers. Speaking also for the people of Iraq, wanting to work with
them to find peace in their land and let us all be unified as we do
this together.

{time} 1215

Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Granger).
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the men
and women of our armed forces. I thank them for their sacrifice and
their patriotism and I pray for their safe return home.
Saddam Hussein is not in compliance with the terms and conditions of
the agreement that ended the Persian Gulf War. He has consistently
violated international law and he is insistent on development and
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. There is no question he
needs to be stopped.
However, I want to remind my colleagues that real support of our
troops takes more than a resolution from Congress when they are sent
into combat. It takes a real and serious financial commitment from this
body. We need to increase the size of our annual defense budget. We
need to address the military retirement system. We need to make sure
our troops have the best equipment available when they are sent into
harm's way.
During the Persian Gulf War there were 18 active Army divisions.
Today there are 10. During the Persian Gulf War there were 24 active
fighter wings. Today 13. There were 546 Navy ships. Today 333. I do not
want to belabor this point today, Mr. Speaker, but we need to address
those shortfalls next year.
Again let us pray for our troops and offer them our heartfelt thanks
for their service to our country.

[[Page H11740]]

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) the minority leader.
(Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the resolution that is before
us and think it is the right thing for us to do on this important day.
I fully support the mission of our armed forces currently carrying out
this military action in Iraq. These efforts are part of a long-standing
bipartisan effort to degrade the Iraqi government's capacity to develop
and deliver weapons of mass destruction and to diminish its ability to
threaten its neighbors in the region.
Over the last 8 years Presidents Bush and Clinton have pursued a
policy to contain the threat that Saddam Hussein poses to the region,
the Mideast region and the international community. Today our troops
bravely are continuing this effort. I believe that this Congress must
give them and is required to give them our undivided support and
encouragement.
The U.S. action is the latest chapter in our efforts. It came at the
end of a long pattern of Iraqi games to thwart the work of weapons
inspectors and frustrate implementation of United Nations Security
Council resolutions.
The most recent act of defiance was in October. The United States was
ready at that time to use military force with the support of the
international community, including eight Arab nations, and the
unanimous support of the United Nations Security Council to enforce
implementation of these U.N. resolutions. Saddam Hussein in October
backed down under these threats, and he pledged and his regime pledged
to resume cooperation unconditionally with the weapons inspectors. At
that time our President made clear that if Saddam Hussein failed to
cooperate fully, without equivocation, the United States would be
prepared to act, and to act without delay, to act without going back to
the Security Council, to act without coming anywhere to get authority
to do it.
The President then said, and I quote, ``Until we see complete
compliance, we will remain vigilant, we will keep up the pressure, we
will be ready to act.'' As Members all know over the past 3 weeks,
Saddam Hussein has engaged in new acts of defiance of the United
Nations Security Council resolutions and the weapons inspectors known
as UNSCOM. These acts are a clear violation of the international
community's determination to ensure that Iraq no longer poses a threat
to the region.
The timetable for action was perfectly clear. We have known that
Richard Butler would submit the report for several weeks. This is no
surprise to anyone in Iraq, in the region, across the world who is
involved in these foreign policy issues. Congressional leaders were
briefed by the President's national security team on the evolving
situation and the military options which were being considered in
response. Any suggestion that this action has been affected by the
impeachment debate one way or the other is blatantly false.
I sincerely hope that we can temporarily put aside partisanship and
direct our efforts to fully supporting our troops, our young people, in
this critical mission. We should never let Saddam Hussein dictate the
nature or the timing of our response. We must have the ability to carry
out our mission effectively to ensure that Iraq cannot reconstitute its
arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, and most importantly we must
give our commanders in the field the flexibility they need to succeed
in their mission with the least risk to the men and women who are
putting their lives on the line right now to achieve these goals.
This Congress must stand firmly and in a united way behind the
defense of our national interest. We must send a strong message, the
strongest possible message to Saddam Hussein that domestic politics
will never, ever affect our resolve, and we must send a clear and
unequivocal message to the brave young men and women of the United
States armed forces that they have our unqualified support as they
undertake this serious and dangerous mission.
We must join together today as Republicans, as Democrats, as
independents, but as Americans. We must speak with one voice, one
crystal clear voice behind our men and women, behind our President and
behind our Nation at this time of critical emergency.
If my son or daughter were in the field today, right now, I would
want nothing more than every American to stand behind and be proud of
their effort on our behalf. By voting for this resolution, we do that
today.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Savannah, GA (Mr. Kingston).
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Spence for yielding me
this time and also Ranking Member Skelton for bringing this to the
floor along with Speaker Livingston. I think it is very timely and
important that at this day we stop and pause in a bipartisan, united
fashion and support our troops. For all Americans, we are united
against Saddam Hussein but for those folks that I represent in
Hinesville, Georgia, many of their friends and neighbors will be
packing and saying good-bye to loved ones as members of the Third
Infantry Division start to deploy. We do not know how long they will be
there. We do not know how many. But we think it is very important that
they know, those of us in southeast Georgia who love Fort Stewart and
General Riley and all the fighting men and women that we support them
and we want to get them home safely.
Here in Congress we are going to do everything we can to protect them
and America's interests. That is why we have fought so hard under
Chairman Spence's leadership for quality of life, equipment
modernization and readiness.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, as a West Point graduate, a former active
duty officer and a current reservist, the time is right to tell our
young men and women in the armed forces that we support them. That is
our mission today, a united front. However, our mission tomorrow is to
ensure that our forces have the means at their disposal to conduct
necessary operations in the future. Talk is cheap. Rebuilding our
military strength is the clearest sign to our young men and women in
uniform and their families that we support them, we care for them, and
that we are going to do everything with the means at our disposal to
protect them. Let us commit today as we talk on this resolution to do
the necessary work at hand to strengthen our military for the future.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Bishop).
Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri for
yielding me this time, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member
for bringing this resolution to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for this
resolution. I believe it is important that we demonstrate America's
resounding and unequivocal commitment to our Nation's armed forces. We
must voice our support, not as Democrats, not as Republicans but as
Americans. We know our troops will give us 100 percent and we can
afford to give them no less. The President in consultation with
America's top military leaders has given sound, rational support for
his decision to launch new attacks on Iraq at this time. Members of the
Moody Air Force Base in the Second Congressional District of Georgia
will soon be called upon to support this endeavor. More than 200 Air
Force personnel will be part of a combat search and rescue package that
will be deployed within the next few days. This is a very difficult
time to ask our service men and women to be separated from their
families. That is another reason why it is so important that we have
the morale of our troops uplifted by the solidarity to that mission.
I would extend my prayers for all of the deployed men and women and
their families for a safe and speedy return. God bless our troops. God
bless their families. God bless America.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder).
(Mr. LINDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to submit for the Record a statement
on

[[Page H11741]]

behalf of our troops in this very difficult time in their lives as well
as the life of our Nation.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Weller).
(Mr. WELLER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking
member for the time and the opportunity to speak in support of our
military men and women. I rise in support of this resolution. I ask for
bipartisan support in this House, a statement of support for our
military men and women. Not only must we support our military men and
women who defend our freedoms but we must also stand in support of the
regular folks, the people of Iraq, suffering under the yoke of the
dictator Saddam Hussein.
Iraq is now governed by a terrorist government driven under the iron
hand of dictator Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein continues today to
threaten the security of his neighbors with efforts to develop weapons
of mass destruction. Our military men and women stand ready to defend
our freedoms. Today they are in action. Let us speak loudly, let us
speak clearly, let us speak with a united voice, with a bipartisan
statement of support today.

{time} 1230

We support our military men and women with this firm statement of
support contained in our resolution. Let us keep our defenders of
freedoms and their families in our prayers today and tomorrow, and also
let us take time to thank those every day who defend our freedoms.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski).
(Mr. BORSKI asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 612, which
expresses strong support for the men and women of our Armed Forces who
are participating in Operation Desert Fox. I believe this is an
appropriate expression of bipartisan support for a difficult but
necessary military strike against Saddam Hussein.
At the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War, Saddam Hussein agreed to a
cease-fire resolution which explicitly committed him to the destruction
and termination of his nuclear, chemical and biological weapons
programs. To verify his compliance, Saddam agreed to full and
unfettered access to United Nations weapons inspectors.
Since then, Saddam has played a cat-and-mouse game with the United
Nations and the international community. The United States has
repeatedly threatened the use of force against Iraq if it failed to
cooperate, and Iraq has backed down. President Clinton has gone out of
his way to resolve these disputes with diplomacy, but Saddam Hussein
has failed to reciprocate with a long-term compliance to his
international obligations.
Only a few weeks ago, Saddam Hussein once again defied the
international community and blocked UNSCOM's access to important sites
and documents pertaining to weapons of mass destruction. President
Clinton ordered a military strike, but, at the last minute, terminated
the operation when Saddam Hussein agreed to allow the inspectors back
in to Iraq. The President gave Saddam one last chance, but very clearly
warned Saddam that future violations would be met with immediate and
decisive military action.
Unfortunately, Saddam Hussein failed to heed these warnings. On
December 15, UNSCOM Executive Chairman Richard Butler issued a report
to the UN stating that Saddam Hussein was once again preventing UN
inspectors from doing their job. In response, Chairman Butler removed
his inspectors and President Clinton launched Operation Desert Fox.
Saddam Hussein thought he could exploit what he perceived as a
weakness in our country caused by the domestic turmoil over
impeachment. But what Saddam once again miscalculated--and what we are
demonstrating here today with this resolution--is the strength of our
country in times of international crises. Despite domestic problems,
the people of the United States of America will always rally behind our
President and our troops when our national interests are threatened.
Mr. Speaker, I support Operation Desert Fox, and I support our troops
who are doing a magnificent job protecting our national interests in
the Persian Gulf. These proud men and women would certainly rather be
home for the holidays, but they know their mission and how important it
is that Saddam Hussein not be allowed to develop weapons of mass
destruction and once again threaten his neighbors in the region.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the rare opportunity to have
breakfast with three bright young United States Navy lieutenant
commanders, one a submariner, one a surface warfare officer and the
other a pilot of F-14s. It was interesting in talking to them about
their future, the future of the United States Navy, that they reflected
to me what I know all the young officers must say and feel about their
work and about their contribution to national security. In relation to
the pilot, I heard about the dire need for spare parts, about the need
for more highly trained mechanics and the need of the help we should
give to the families.
Mr. Speaker, these are the young men and young women who are flying
missions last night and tonight over Iraq. They are the ones of whom we
are asking so very much, and yet we, who are constitutionally required
to raise and maintain the military, have left some of them with spare
parts problems and inadequate personnel, and yet we expect them to be
letter perfect. Thus far they have.
I say a thanks to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Spence), the chairman of this committee, for he and I
worked early this year in a letter to the President and other leaders
making a strong case for additional funding for national security of
this country. It was good to see the additional dollars in the
supplemental this last year. But in order for us to come to this floor
and praise the young men and young women for their courage and bravery,
we must do our part first, and that part is making secure those jobs,
making sure that they have spare parts, making sure that their
airplanes fly and that they have bright young people who are strongly
motivated to fix their airplanes and to sail the ships. That is our
job.
We are here today, and it has been almost overlooked, because of
Saddam Hussein's recalcitrance in not allowing inspectors from the
United Nations to look for and find the weapons of mass destruction.
That is our purpose, to make sure that he does not have those weapons;
biological, chemical, nuclear, that could wreck havoc not just on
America and Americans' interests and Americans across this globe, but
our allies and our friends.
I fully support the President's decision. I fully support him, and
yesterday I had an early meeting with the Secretary and the Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs when they told me of this plan, and I told them I was
for them.
We must, as a body, speak with one voice to support this decision and
to support the young men and young women. But I must say more than
anything we must support the young men and young women in uniform
regardless of the branch in which they serve by doing our part, by
adequately funding what they do, by giving them the message that we are
with them, more in words, more in resolution, but by adequate funding
and resources so they can continue to do the job that we ask them to do
and that the Commander in Chief asks them to do.
So I fully support this resolution. I hope it will pass unanimously,
that the message will be sent to our friends and foes alike that we
stand together as a Nation supporting the President's decision and
supporting those in uniform who are doing such a masterful job for us
and for our country.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.
Mr. Speaker, we are gathered here today to make comments in support
of our troops who are presently deployed in the Persian Gulf carrying
on operations against certain targets in Iraq. I think it is worth
noting at this time, it is important to note, that we are prepared to
carry out this type operation and our men and women are equipped to do
this. But I have to point out that this is a limited type operation. It
is not an all-out type war that we must be prepared to defend against.
There is serious question as to whether or not our military is
sufficiently strong, with all the cutbacks we have been making, to
carry out our national strategy of being able to fight and win

[[Page H11742]]

two major regional contingencies. That is my concern.
I reiterate we are here supporting our people today in this type of
operation. We must, we must, do more to prepare our country to defend
against the other threats we will be faced with in the future.
Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, one of the most grave decisions that a
Member of Congress must make is the decision to go to war. Fewer than
24 hours ago, President William Jefferson Clinton launched missiles in
response to continued intransigence by President Saddam Hussein of
Iraq. Over the past two months, President Clinton has judiciously and
skillfully negotiated a truce with President Hussein, and even aborted
a launched air strike against military targets in Iraq. As President
Clinton clearly stated, that November 15, 1998 cease-fire was the last
effort in the continued work to have Iraq comply with the terms that
ended the Gulf War over seven and one-half years ago.
As a person of peace and prayer, I have grave reservations any time
force or violence is used to solve any problem, conflict or difference.
It is unfortunate that we have not yet progressed to the point where
violence is not an element of international problem-solving. Each and
every life on earth is too precious to be wasted as a result of the
collateral damage that inevitably happens as the result of war. The use
of force should be used only as a last resort when all other options
have been thoroughly examined and exhausted.
Along with 434 of my colleagues in the House of Representatives and
100 of my colleagues in the Senate, I took an oath to protect and
defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all
enemies, foreign and domestic. This recent action is in the defense of
the best interests of the United States. President William Jefferson
Clinton, acting upon the advice of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, the
Secretary of Defense, and the Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency, ordered the most recent air strike. There have been some
Members of Congress who have questioned the timing and necessity of
this air strike. Now is not the time for Members of Congress to
question this joint and unanimous decision of the military leaders of
our Nation, all of whom support this needed action. Now is the time to
offer our prayers, our aid, and our support to men and women of our
Armed Forces, their families and our President.
I have long expressed my support for the ending of humanitarian
sanctions on Iraq, and along with over 40 of my colleagues, sent a
bipartisan letter to the President asking for a revisiting of the
economic sanctions against Iraq. While leveled at the Iraqi regime,
these sanctions have had the unintended effect of taking a deadly toll
on the innocent civilians of Iraq. History is proof that it is in the
United States' best long-term interests to shape a policy that embraces
humanitarian concerns and allows new ways to address the legitimate
security concerns of the United States. Maintaining humanitarian
principles and having a tough stance on Iraq are not mutually
exclusive.

On June 26 of this year, we celebrated the 50th year of the Berlin
Airlift. After the Soviet Union banned all travel to and from East
Germany shortly after the end of World War II, aircraft from U.S. Air
Forces in Europe delivered 156 tons of supplies during 64 sorties.
During the Berlin Airlift, almost 18 million tons of coal, food,
medicine, heavy machinery, newsprint, construction equipment, vehicles,
and household goods were flown in to the people, not the government, of
East Germany. The Berlin Airlift saved the lives of thousands of people
yearning for freedom and justice from the shackles of oppression. The
strong, aggressive stance that the United States took against the
regime of the Soviet Union complemented its compassion for the people
of East Germany.
Fifty years later, we live in the wake of the Berlin Airlift. Through
the skill and courage of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan,
former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson, President
Clinton, and concerned citizens, were able to previously step back from
the brink of war. This is, unfortunately, no longer the case. There are
certainly many challenges against lasting peace and stability in Iraq,
and it is vital that Iraq fully and completely comply with the
inspection teams authorized by the United Nations Special Commission on
Iraq. The monitoring and dismantling of Iraqi weapons of mass
destruction must take place.
In our letter to President Clinton, we urged the separation of
humanitarian sanction from military sanctions. We also asked for
improving the oversight and mechanisms for the oil-for-food trade, and
the expeditious reform of the federal regulations impeding the flow of
humanitarian goods to the people of Iraq. Like East Berlin before the
airlift, we have heard several official and unofficial reports of the
horrible starvation of children, medical deprivation of senior
citizens, and general devastation faced by ordinary, everyday citizens
in Iraq.
It is unfortunate that the President of the United States was forced
to use missiles in order to get Iraq to comply with reasonable U.N.
requirements. Along with Secretary General Kofi Annan, I am deeply
saddened and personally hurt that Saddam Hussein did not give peace a
chance. Any coordinated policy regarding Iraq should not further punish
the women, children, and senior citizens already wincing beneath the
thumb of a dictator. In the long run, Saddam Hussein, like any other
dictator, will fade away. It is important and vital that the United
States forge a humanitarian pact with the people of Iraq and revisit
the effect of our economic sanctions and this recent missile strike on
Iraq. Fifty years ago, the people of East Germany hailed the collective
wisdom and humanitarian courage of America. Fifty years from now, the
Iraqi people, and all citizens of the Middle East, will praise the
continued fight for freedom, justice and liberty of the American
people.
I support our troops. I support the families of our troops. Along
with my constituents, I pray that during this month of the most holy of
holidays for so many citizens, the collective peace and love that we
all so desperately need envelop our troops, their families, and the
people of Iraq.
Rest assured that children, women, and senior citizens will die. Rest
assured that some of our troops, who are someone's father or mother,
brother or sister, niece or nephew, will never return home. Military
action of this, or any, scope requires deep prayer, temperance, and
patriotism of our country's leaders. Along with the citizens of the
15th Congressional District of Michigan, I hope that my colleagues in
Congress will join me in prayer for our country, our troops, the
Persian Gulf region, and the Iraqi people, who deserve a better leader
than Saddam Hussein.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I support our troops in their mission to
eliminate Saddam Hussein's ability to use weapons of mass destruction.
Althought I prefer a tight, multinational embargo around Iraq to
disable Saddam's regime, that path was not taken. At this juncture,
with repeated warnings to Iraq by the United States to comply with
Iraq's pledge to disarm and with repeated violations by Saddam, we have
little choice but to proceed with military action.
For these reasons, I will vote for the resolution before the House of
Representatives today to support our troops and to reaffirm that the
policy of the United States to drive Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, December 16, 1998, the United
States and Great Britain responded to the litany of abuses long
propagated by Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq. Saddam Hussein has
repeatedly and consistently violated the terms of the cease-fire
agreement that ended the Persian Gulf war in 1991. The terms of that
treaty, endorsed by the international community including a significant
number of Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf states, called for, among
other things, Iraq to dismantle its program for weapons of mass
destruction (WMD). Saddam Hussein agreed to these terms and agreed to
international inspection, destruction and verification of Iraq's
chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
The creation of the United Nations weapons inspection team, know as
UNSCOM was heralded as proof that the international community was
living up to its part of the bargain with Saddam Hussein. But Mr.
Speaker in the seven years since UNSCOM's creation, Saddam Hussein has
been duplicitious and callous by continuing to thwart international
efforts to rid Iraq of its capability to produce these WMD. All the
while, this Iraqi regime has explored every effort to exploit, cajole
and employ chicanery to disrupt UNSCOM's important work. And after
reviewing the record, one can only draw the conclusion that Saddam
Hussein was never serious about giving up his WMD program. He has
violated countless U.N. resolutions and obstructed weapons inspections
ad infinitum.
Even after Iraq's defeat by coalition forces in 1991, Hussein was
biding his time to regain regional hegemony and hold hostage the world
community. Saddam Hussein has shown through out his time in power that
he is the archetypical rogue leader akin to a gangster of the 1920s. He
has gassed his own people, launched ballistic missiles at Israel and
Saudi Arabia, invaded a sovereign nation, murdered scores of his
political enemies, terrorized minority Shiites and kurdish civilians
and embarked on a seven year campaign that is resulting in the mass
starvation of thousands of Iraqi citizens. In short, he has turned the
Iraqi nation, one with a proud people and ancient history, into an
international pariah state.
Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of House Resolution 612, our
men and women in uniform and our President. While this necessary action
is being conducted as we speak, this is not a time to rejoice, or
strike up the bands, or begin to celebrate. This difficult decision was
one of last resort, precipitated by

[[Page H11743]]

the violation of commitments made by Saddam Hussein. If anyone doubts
that this course of action is necessary, they have not been paying
attention to the last seven years of broken promises.
Moreover, the timing of the attack is being called into question by
some pundits and newspapers. But this too is accountable only to Saddam
Hussein. It is equally tragic and regrettable that some of our nation's
leader (thankfully only a handful) have questioned the timing of this
attack as well. This military action is serious business. The
impeachment proceedings are serious business. But both matters before
us are governed by the nature of the constitutional process and the
unfurling of international events. The only one capable of corrupting
these two matters into one, is Saddam Hussein. And his sense of timing
should not constrain our freedom of action nor inhibit us from pursuing
our moral obligations. For this reason alone, we must remain vigilant
to our purpose and unwavering in our task. I am confident that in this
distressing moment in our history, the true spirit of our nation will
rise to carry out its appointed duty. In this regard, we are unified in
our support for our brave servicemen and women. We are proud of the
work that they do each and everyday in their selfless sacrifice of
protecting our country and fighting for our ideals. May God bless each
and everyone of them and their families. And may God bless the
President, his advisors, and the United States of America.
Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues
in voicing my strong support for our men and women in our Armed Forces
who have answered their Nation's call to serve in the effort to rid the
world of the threat of Saddam Hussein to develop and use weapons of
mass destruction.
Mr. Speaker, our troops deserve our full support and our Commander in
Chief does as well. This was a courageous and necessary action by
President Clinton and he deserves our unconditional support.
My colleagues, I recall when our country first engaged Saddam Hussein
and Iraqi at the start of the gulf war in 1991, my constituents and I
were saddened but proud when we learned that a Virgin Islander was
among the first casualties. All Americans, no matter where they make
their homes, proudly answer the call of their nation to serve when it
is necessary for them to do so.
And so I support this resolution today. I support our troops and pray
for their safe and speedy return home in this season of peace. And I
support our Commander in Chief.
Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution
612, a resolution of support for our men and women of the armed forces
during the present engagement with Iraq.
Following the gulf war, Iraq agreed with the Gulf War Alliance and
the United Nations requirements that it must cease production of
weapons of mass destruction. Iraq has continuously reneged on this
agreement and thwarted the efforts of United Nations' arms inspectors.
The presence of chemical and biological weapons poses a serious
threat to our national security. In fact, these weapons pose a threat
to every nation on earth. Saddam Hussein has proven to be a rogue and
reckless tyrant who cannot be trusted. He has shown that he will use
these weapons, both on his enemies and his own people.
After learning that our troops engaged Iraq, my thoughts and prayers
went out to them and their families. The men and women of our Armed
Forces have selflessly defended America's national security interest in
the Persian Gulf. We can all be proud of their commitment and loyalty
to this country.
During this grave time, our troops should know that Congress and the
Nation are unified in support of them.
Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, the flu precludes me from taking part in
this important debate on the Floor today. Nevertheless, I support this
resolution, which expresses our strong support for the men and women of
our military forces in their current action against the brutal regime
of Saddam Hussein. This resolution also reaffirms the policy of the
United States to support efforts to remove Saddam Hussein from power in
Iraq.
Over the past year, Saddam Hussein has been playing this cynical game
of failing to fulfill the very inspection agreements which he, himself,
signed as part of the peace agreement following his ill-fated invasion
of Kuwait. Several weeks ago when Saddam Hussein notified the United
Nations weapons inspectors that he was no longer going to cooperate
with them and was halting the inspections, the world knew that Saddam
was not serious about cooperation and that he was attempting to protect
a dangerous arsenal of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons which
he intended to use on his neighbors and enemies in the future.
At that time, 6 weeks ago, the U.S. military leadership drafted a
plan to resume military air strikes against Saddam's weapons of mass
destruction. The President ordered those plans to be executed and the
air strikes were given the green light. We all know that at the last
minute Saddam backed down and agreed to allow the U.N. inspectors to
resume their work and the military strikes were called off.
Many of us in the Congress, and in the country, were disappointed
that the President backed down because we all knew that Saddam would
not keep his word and that we would once again face down the road the
need to strike at his weapons arsenal. Many argued that the failure to
respond to Saddam at that time would create a greater threat to the
region and to the world and would further embolden Saddam to flaunt his
word and create these crises over and over again, betting that no
action would ever be taken.
Saddam's refusal last week to again honor his commitments, thus
forcing the withdrawal of the U.N. inspection team from Iraq, had to be
the last straw. The decision to bomb by the Commander in Chief, with
the full support of our Joint Chiefs of Staff, was the correct decision
because Saddam through his lack of compliance presented a clear and
present danger to the stability of the region and the security of the
international community. Last night's air raids despite their curious
timing, represented the kind of decisive action which has been
inevitable and unavoidable as long as Saddam felt he could get away
with his acts of noncompliance.
Mr. Speaker, Saddam Hussein has proven time and time again that he is
intractable. If Saddam had felt he could continue to get away with his
actions without incurring any penalty, he seriously miscalculated the
will of the people of the United States and that of the international
community. As a Member of the International Relations Committee, and as
one who has been a leader in support of decisive military action
against Saddam Hussein as far back as 1991, I support the decision to
take these actions against the regime of what can only be called a
tyranny and a menace to society. I support the courageous men and women
our military forces in these critical times and I wish them and their
families Godspeed on this important mission.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I join strongly with our colleagues in
urging passage of this resolution of support for our men and women in
the U.S. Armed Forces now confronting Saddam Hussein in the Persian
Gulf.
Mr. Speaker, the Iraqi Government has repeatedly shown contempt for
the diplomatic resolution of the crisis created by their nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons programs. Over the last year, Saddam
Hussein has pushed the United States and the International community
three times to the brink of war, only to dance away under cover of
diplomatic ruses.
With the UNSCOM report issued days ago and Ramadan to begin this
weekend, it is clear that the time for diplomacy is over. The Iraqi
Government has lied again and U.N. weapons inspectors have been stopped
from doing their job.
U.S. and British military forces in the Persian Gulf are now ensuring
what diplomacy could not--that Iraq will not threaten the region nor
the world with weapons of mass destruction.
I commend President Clinton for making this courageous decision at
this very difficult time--knowing opponents at home and overseas would
charge him with undercutting the impeachment proceedings.
I don't buy into these charges, as we all know, as does the
President, that the impeachment shall continue and the outcome will not
change. If anything, his action at this time will only harden the
impeachment vote against him.
Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support the Commander-in-Chief
and our Armed Forces in the Gulf that have placed their lives at risk
to ensure that nuclear, chemical and biological weapons from Iraq or
other rogue nations do not threaten our shores and that of our allies.
Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
expressing support for U.S. and British air strikes in the Persian Gulf
region. We offer our thoughts and prayers to our brave men and women in
uniform who are fighting for our national security during our holiday
season. I support our troops to be successful and safe, and I support
the decision made by the President and our military commanders.
President Clinton provided a targeted and calibrated military
response to Iraq's reckless disregard for United Nations arms
inspections and our policy to remove weapons of mass destruction from
tyrants like Saddam Hussein. The timing of the air strikes was dictated
strictly by national security needs. This was confirmed by defense
Secretary William Cohen, CIA Director George Tenet, and the Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs, General Hugh Shelton in a meeting last night. It was
the unanimous view of our military and national security advisors that
the air strikes were justified and that the timing this week was
critical to the success of the mission in the weeks ahead.

[[Page H11744]]

Saddam has repeatedly attempted to erode or violate international
standards concerning biological and chemical weapons. He has and is
intent on building the most vile weapons in the history of man, weapons
outlawed by nearly every country in the world. Saddam Hussein must not
go unchallenged. Therefore, I accept the judgment of the President's
military and national security advisors, and I will provide all the
support I can for our troops while they are engaged in this military
endeavor.
The military action initiated yesterday by the United States sends a
direct and appropriate message: Iraq must fully comply with the terms
of the weapons inspections. We must continue to protect our troops and
vital interests in the Middle East and reduce the ability of Saddam
Hussein to threaten innocent civilians and his neighbors in the region.
I support the intent of yesterday's air strikes and look forward to the
safe return of our troops after a successful mission.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution,
and of President Clinton's decision to order airstrikes against Iraq.
In 1981, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin ordered the Israeli
Air Force to destroy Saddam Hussein's Osirak nuclear reactor, because
of growing evidence that this French-supplied ``research reactor'' was
being transformed into a covert nuclear bomb factory. World reaction to
the attack was swift and harsh. The French, the Russians, and even the
UN Security Council condemned the bombing. The Reagan Administration
criticized the raid and temporarily suspended arms shipments to Israel.
But in reality, Israel had done the world an enormous favor. It has
set back Saddam Hussein's efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction
by several years.
During the Gulf War, the U.S. and its Allies again targeted Iraq's
efforts to acquire nuclear, chemical, biological, and ballistic missile
capabilities. In the aftermath of that struggle, international
inspectors found clear and convincing evidence of a massive Iraqi
program to acquire weapons of mass destruction.
Since that time, one of the fundamental goals of U.S. foreign policy
has been to assure that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities
are dismantled, and to prevent Saddam Hussein from rebuilding the
capacity to hold the world hostage.
That is what yesterday's air strikes against Iraq were all about.
This isn't Wag the Dog; its Enemy of the State. It's Target the Tyrant.
Does anyone really want the President to give that madman even more
time to hide his weapons, fortify his military, and spawn terrorism?
This is a cruel and savage dictator who has already used chemical
weapons against both the Iranians and his own people. He fired Scud
missiles at innocent Israeli civilians, and he is hellbent on amassing
an arsenal of nuclear, chemical, biological, and ballistic missiles so
that he can again threaten stability in the Persian Gulf region.
Yes, the President should comply with the consultative provisions of
the War Powers Act as he proceeds with this military action. And he has
in fact been consulting with the Congressional leadership, as provided
for under that Act. But he had no choice but to take a prompt decisive
action in this matter.
President Clinton deserves our nation's support in this decision, and
the heroic men and women in our armed services who are carrying out his
order deserve our support and our prayers. They are engaged in a noble
mission, whose objective is no less than to avert the threat of a
nuclear holocaust and reaffirm the sanctity of international law.-
Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our brave men and
women in our armed forces who have answered their Nation's call, and
who are now standing tall for the United States of America. In the name
of national unity and in the spirit of peace and freedom, I believe
this Congress must fully embrace and strongly support the mission
currently underway in Iraq.
It must be said that I am troubled by the Administration's failure to
consult with Congress before sending our troops into harm's way. A
close review of the War Powers Act clearly states that the President
must do this before engaging our military in armed action. The fact
that this was not done illuminates a subtle shift of power from the
legislative branch of government to the administrative branch. In
matters as serious as unleashing the might of our military on another
country, this shift of power should trouble us all.
It is my deepest hope that this military action has been well
planned, will be well executed, and will be brought to a quick and
decisive conclusion. The brave men and women who have taken an oath to
protect and preserve peace and freedom throughout the world deserve
nothing less.
Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, yesterday evening the United States
launched an attack on Iraq. It is unfortunate that we were forced into
such an action. I support the decision to use military force and offer
my unequivocal support to the men and women of our armed services. I
also offer my prayers for their speedy and safe return.
Saddam Hussein has been given chance after chance to live up to the
agreements he made at the end of the Gulf War and time after time
refused to comply with that agreement. Last week, Saddam Hussein
announced, once again, that he would not cooperate with the United
Nations Special Commission's (UNSCOM) attempts to find weapons of mass
destruction. The UNSCOM inspection teams are a critical tool in
monitoring and preventing Iraq from developing chemical, biological and
potentially nuclear weapons. Iraq's refusal to allow those inspectors
to do their jobs is a direct threat to the United States, and our
allies. Therefore, we cannot sit by while Saddam continually defies the
international community and continues to develop weapons of mass
destruction.
By continually refusing to comply with agreements it made at the end
of the Gulf War, and again after November's agreement, Iraq has proven
itself to be a menace and threat to its neighbors and to the people of
the United States. Preventing Iraq's development of weapons of mass
destruction is crucial to preserving the safety and well being of all
of our citizens and our national security.
It has become crystal clear that Saddam Hussein will not abandon his
efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction. We gave Saddam Hussein
every opportunity to end hostilities and economic sanctions. All he had
to do was comply with the agreement and stop developing weapons of mass
destruction. I believe we had no choice but to use military force.
Again, I offer my full and unequivocal support for our men and women
in the armed service and pray for their quick return and a speedy end
to this conflict.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, we are at an interesting
juncture in history. We are juxtaposed between great divisions on how
to discipline our President and how to demonstrate unanimous support
for the men and women of our armed forces as they proceed into armed
conflict miles away in Iraq. Make no mistake, that even during these
times we live in the greatest country on earth. For even in the fell
clutch of circumstance our resolve is clear and our vision is focused.
We will not allow Saddam Hussein to build and develop weapons of mass
destruction; we will not allow him to continue to circumvent
international law; we will not allow him to continue to obstruct and
mislead U.N. weapons inspectors as they attempt to locate and inspect
weapons sites. We will not allow him to threaten his neighbors; and we
will not allow Saddam Hussein to threaten the future of American
families and children. We will not allow Saddam Hussein to threaten the
new peace in the Middle East and we will stand united against him, no
matter the domestic crisis, and mete out the severest punishment that
our military resources will allow us. Just as we punish serial killers
for their crimes, we will punish this serial promise breaker for his!
I rise to support the President's actions against Saddam Hussein and
I rise in unwavering support of our brave and loyal troops who
willingly lay their lives on the line for our freedom. We owe it to
them to lay down our political differences and stand together in
support of the President's decision to initiate military action against
Saddam Hussein. These actions are both appropriate and necessary to
prevent the rise of a tyrant who is determined to immortalize himself
in the worlds history books. Saddam Hussein has a record of using
chemical and biological weapons against his enemies, both, inside and
outside of Iraq. He has launched SCUD missiles against Israel, Saudi
Arabia, and other Arab countries. He has used chemical weapons against
his Kurdish minority, and if given the opportunity and the means, he
would not hesitate to launch an attack against the United States.
We have given the Iraqi leader every opportunity to comply with
weapons inspectors. We have warned Saddam that his actions would be met
with the severest of consequences. The President's actions are in the
best interest of our country and our children, and he deserves the full
support of this House and the American people. We owe this much and
more to Lt. Colonel Heidi Brown, the first woman to command an Army air
defense battalion, and the rest of our brave soldiers who are risking
their lives for our national sovereignty.
I would like to thank the Leadership of the House for setting aside
other business to support our Commander in Chief and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of carrying
out the military mission in the Persian Gulf. I commend the U.S. troops
and I commend the President for carrying out his responsibility as
Commander in Chief.
The decision to strike strategic defense locations in Iraq was not
made by the United

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Nations. It was not made by the President. The decision to take
military action was made by Saddam Hussein himself. On November 15,
Hussein was given final warning by the United Nations and the United
States that there would be no more discussion if he stood in the way of
U.N. inspectors. When he in fact did so, as detailed in the U.N.
inspector's report submitted on December 15, we had no choice but to
carry out the military mission in order to eliminate Iraq's weapons of
mass destruction.
Those Republicans in Congress who criticize the President by saying
he is attempting to delay the impeachment vote are the same Members of
Congress who would have accused the President of delaying the vote of
the Judiciary Committee had this action been necessary last week. And
these are the same Members who would have said the President was trying
to delay an impeachment trial if this military mission was ordered 30
days from now.
The bottom line is that we must not allow Saddam Hussein the ability
to manufacture and possess weapons of mass destruction. If we do, I
have no doubt he will use them on his neighbors and ultimately on the
United States.
I strongly support the President's actions and I support our U.S.
troops in the gulf.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues to express
my support for the US troops in the Persian Gulf and the important work
they are doing to protect our national security. The President is our
Commander in Chief, and he has my support.
The President's military and foreign policy advisors, as well as our
allies, unanimously concluded that Saddam Hussein must be stopped now.
His nuclear, chemical and biological weapons pose a serious and
immediate threat. We cannot sit back and watch while he rebuilds and
strengthens his arsenal.
In times like these, the Congress and the leaders of both parties
should set aside our differences to support our Commander in Chief, the
President, and our Armed Forces. Such ought to be our instincts at this
critical moment, and I applaud all those who have risen above partisan
debate to support this action by our country.
It is unclear we did in the 1991 Gulf War.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to speak. It is important
for Members from all across this country to lend their voices and
support for our Nation's efforts to eliminate these weapons of mass
destruction. Thank God we have taken on this task.
Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support
of our men and women in the field, and pray for their safety and the
completion of this mission. As a former member of the Intelligence
Committee, I speak from experience, and familiarity with the evolution
of these matters. You are embarked on a mission vital to our national
security and the stability of the Middle East region, and you go with
the full support of the American people. This mission has been
developed and planned over the last several months, and is consistent
with the policy requirements set forth by the President and the United
Nations in November, keyed on the final notification of noncompliance
from the international UNSCOM team.
There are those here who have questioned the timing of this attack.
To those, I say we need look no farther than Saddam Hussein himself.
Because we live in a free society, our political schedule and debate is
not kept secret. There is no secret as to why our membership is
gathered here today during this holiday season and able to vote on this
resolution today. It is not hard to surmise that the enemies of our
state throughout the world, unfamiliar and unversed in the practice of
freedom and the expression of liberty, would mistake our spirited and
philosophical debate for a disintegration of our collective strength,
and choose to capitalize on it. In unity, let us send a clear message
of restraint to those who would seek to test our resolve. We do this
with this resolution.
To the American people, your courage and support during this time is
a credit to your resolve and faith in democracy. There has been much
debate about our Constitution over the last several weeks, especially
around the separation of our three branches of government. I submit to
you a living example of the wisdom of our founders, that while in the
throws of partisan and philosophical division gripping this House, the
Nation still has the ability to respond quickly and directly to crisis.
This is our strength, this is our Constitution, this is our Nation, and
the legacy I stand before you to support and protect. The President,
our Commander in Chief, and our men and women in the armed services
have our complete and unwavering support in their mission.
Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
and the heroic men and women who serve in our Nation's Armed Forces.
Even in the midst of a critical domestic debate, we stand firmly
united in the face of threats to our interests abroad. Saddam Hussein
continues to violate the terms of the agreement that ended the gulf
war, and we must contain the threat he poses to the security of the
region. Saddam Hussein's proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
continues to threaten lives in the Persian Gulf and around the world.
Mr. Speaker, our Armed Forces risk their lives every day to protect
American families against threats like that posed by Saddam Hussein. I
would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude
for their loyal service. It is critical that our troops have a clear
and unequivocal understanding that Congress and the American people are
one hundred percent behind them. They deserve nothing less than our
full and unwavering support in this and all their endeavors.
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, world peace has been jeopardized
because of Saddam Hussein's continued reluctance to cooperate with UN
weapons inspectors. In the past 13 months, the United Nations Special
Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) has evacuated from Baghdad, in full or in
part, four times. These include an incident in November of 1997, when
Iraq refused to allow Americans to participate in UNSCOM, a second time
when Iraq refused to grant unconditional access to sensitive sites in
February of 1998, and the beginning of the most recent crisis in
November of 1998 when Iraq stopped cooperating with UNSCOM until
yesterday when Ambassador Butler reports that Iraq was not cooperating
with UNSCOM.
When dealing with a dictator as ruthless and unpredictable as Saddam
Hussein, that has developed weapons of mass destruction, it is
imperative that the United States take a firm stand and refuse to
continue to give ground. The information available to us from the
previous inspections and intelligence reports show that Iraq is still
working diligently to build an arsenal of weapons. It is my firm belief
that the military strikes which were launched were necessary to show
Iraq that their behavior is unacceptable.
I strongly favor this resolution of support for the men and women of
our armed forces in and around the Persian Gulf. This Nation must stand
as one, despite politics, when we confront terrorists such as Saddam
Hussein.
Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the concurrent
resolution and urge its adoption.
Our moral authority and the military might enforcing that authority
exist in large part thanks to the men and women wearing the uniform of
the United States of America.
Their voluntary commitment to serving this country, its people and
its principles is what makes us strong and capable of taking the action
that is currently underway.
We work for peace and for resolution to conflict that puts our men
and women in harm's way. And we are eternally thankful for their
devotion and sacrifice.
Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of this resolution and commend America's armed forces in Iraq. We must
destroy Saddam Hussein's ability to make and use weapons of mass
destruction and eliminate his ability to wage war against his
neighbors.
Inspectors began their mission to oversee the elimination of Iraq's
weapons seven years ago. Since then, Saddam Hussein has repeatedly
failed to comply with UN inspection agreements. Iraq has continued to
block UNSCOM from inspecting sites, and has restricted UNSCOM's ability
to obtain critical evidence. This defiance poses a clear and present
danger to countries in the Gulf and people across the world.
In November, the President made it clear that if Saddam Hussein
failed to cooperate, we would strike without warning or delay. The
President's advisors informed him that mid-December would be the
appropriate time for this mission. Failure to act decisively at this
juncture would provide Saddam Hussein with time to protect his weapons
and prepare for potential action against him.
The President's decision was based upon the unanimous recommendation
of the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, the Secretary of State and the National Security Adviser. Tony
Blair, Prime Minister of Great Britain, concurred that now is the time
to strike. In the President's address to the American people yesterday,
he had ``no doubt that left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will use these
terrible weapons again.'' I strongly support the President's decision
and believe that we must stand united behind our troops. Our men and
women in uniform are putting their lives in danger to protect the
interests of the people of the United States and our allies around the
world.
Mr. SCARBOROUGH. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 612, a
resolution supporting our troops in the Persian Gulf. Despite strong
concerns over the timing behind these air strikes, it is imperative
that we stand in support of our armed forces. Many troops from my
northwest Florida district will be involved in

[[Page H11746]]

this operation and they deserve the full support of Congress and the
American people.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the men
and women of the U.S. armed forces deployed in the Persian Gulf for
their professionalism, patriotism, dedication and courage.
As the new millennium approaches, the greatest threat to our national
security is the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons.
Saddam Hussein's regime has demonstrated again and again its desire to
manufacture and use these weapons of mass destruction. We simply cannot
allow Saddam the capability and the resources to complete this awful
task.
Day in and day out, the men and women of our armed forces perform the
vitally important job of protecting our national security. I'm proud of
their work, and I am deeply grateful to those who have accepted this
challenge in the Persian Gulf. With over 24,000 U.S. troops in the
Persian Gulf, we must give our brave soldiers our unequivocal support
and encouragement at this difficult time.
We applaud our brave troops and thank them for their service to our
country. Our thoughts and prayers are with our troops and their
families.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in expressing
my unqualified support for our troops as they undertake this important
mission. I cannot overstate my admiration for our troops as they put
their lives on the line to make the world safer for all. Saddam Hussein
is a threat to many nations, as the President made clear last night,
and we must make sure that his ambitions are contained and his
capabilities limited.
This is a time when Americans must come together. This mission is a
logical and justified step in an American policy that began during the
Bush Administration. Having been briefed on the incidents that led up
to this mission, I have faith that our military and political leaders--
those with the best information--have made an appropriate and entirely
defensible decision. And I applaud the willingness of the British to
join us, which underscores the military and political credibility of
the mission.
We must put aside partisan and other divisions now. I agree
wholeheartedly with Speaker-Elect Livingston's decision to postpone the
impeachment debate. We need to pause, take in the magnitude of what has
been happening, and support our troops. I believe that is what the
House is now doing and I hope all Americans will follow suit.
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, anytime young Americans are carrying out our
foreign policy with parts of our national security apparatus, Congress
should stand in support of them, of the Commander in Chief and of the
policy they propound. If anyone disagrees with the policy, it is their
duty to speak up in this democracy.
As a member of the National Security Committee, I know what sort of
threat is posed by Saddam Hussein's arsenal of terror of the
biological, chemical and nuclear sort. He has exploited our biggest
weakness, a lack of committed, long-standing allies in the Gulf region.
It is important to note the recent diplomatic breakthrough in the
Middle East at Gaza, which no doubt reinforced in the minds of our Arab
and Jewish friends the good will intended to Gulf states on the part of
the United States.
Also, it is of tremendous importance to note that the uniformed
services, who have been openly critical of President Clinton and this
Administration from time to time, have spoken in unison and with
passion about the timing and the need for the strikes at this time.
Just as the United States took strong action against terrorism in the
embassy bombings in the midst of Congress' impeachment activities, we
again move forward unaffected by a domestic partisan squabble in the
Congress.
I support the President, the troops and the policy of a long-term
commitment to the disarming of the terrorist nation that has been a
thorn in the world's flesh for nearly a decade. I commend the President
for moving forward on U.S. policy around the world when military events
dictate.
Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the men and women of our
military participating in Operation Desert Fox. Their willingness to
risk their lives defending our Constitution and freedom is the highest
form of patriotism.
Saddam Hussein has stood in the way of allowing the United Nations
Special Commission (UNSCOM) to conduct their inspections that were
mandated in the 1991 cease-fire one-too-many times. He has continued to
break promises and put the people of Iraq in harm's way. On November
14, Saddam was given his last chance to resume full cooperation as a
condition of the 1991 cease-fire. Nonetheless, Iraq has blocked the
United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) from inspecting suspect
sites and restricted its ability to obtain necessary evidence. Iraq has
failed to cooperate. His actions have jeopardized the security and
stability of the Persian Gulf that our troops fought so hard for in
1991. This is simply unacceptable. Saddam has now run out of chances.
The President is completely justified in his use of force. The
leaders he depends on to advise him on national security matters, the
Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the
Secretary of State, and the National Security Advisor, have unanimously
endorsed not only the use of force, but the timing of the attack as
well. Furthermore, this attack was in coordination with the British
military. The credibility of the United Nations as a peace-keeping
organization is predicated on the ability of its members to enforce its
mandates.
But let's not lose sight of the most important reason we are on the
floor today: to recognize the bravery of our soldiers. What our troops
are doing is very dangerous and extremely important. It is not us who
honor them with this resolution, it is they who honor us with their
service. Their readiness, skill, and courage that they have
demonstrated and continue to demonstrate are a credit to the great
military tradition of this nation. It is that tradition that we are
supporting.
I want to express my most heartfelt appreciation to the troops and
their families for their tremendous sacrifice and my most sincere hope
that this conflict will be over soon so our men and women serving in
the Persian Gulf will celebrate safe and blessed holidays at home.
Mr. LaHOOD. I rise in support of House Resolution 612, a resolution
of support for the men and women in uniform. They have been called upon
to once again ``check'' Saddam Hussein's refusal to comply with world
demands that he stop the mass production of chemical weapons.
Mr. Speaker, after learning that the U.S. military forces had engaged
enemy forces, my prayers and undeniable support went out to them and
their families. For years, they have selflessly defended America's
national security interests in the Persian Gulf at great personal
sacrifice. All Americans can be proud of the way our troops have
performed. They are a credit to our nation and an inspiration to us
all. Regardless of the questions raised by the unique circumstances,
Mr. Speaker, it is important that our troops know that Congress and the
nation are behind them.
The challenges to U.S. security posed by Saddam's actions in Iraq is
stark. Simply put, the United States cannot allow Saddam to continue to
frustrate the efforts of the international community and to rebuild his
weapons capabilities. Doing so would again allow him to threaten his
neighbors, U.S. friends and allies in the region, and direct U.S.
interest.
Whatever one thinks of the timing of these latest U.S. military
strikes against Iraq, we are all unified in support of our service men
and women. We are proud of each and every one of them. I urge all my
colleagues to support this resolution and urge all Americans to pray
for the safety of our sons and daughters, and husbands and wives who
are currently in harm's way in the Gulf.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues for their unanimous support.
Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of President Clinton's
decision to order military strikes against Saddam Hussein and
especially in support of our troops in action.
Since committing at the end of the Persian Gulf War to full and open
inspections of his nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons
capabilities, Saddam Hussein has repeatedly blocked the work of the
United Nations inspectors. Time and again he has refused to turn over
key documents and he has continually refused UNSCOM inspectors entry to
suspect facilities.
On November 14, Saddam asked for one more chance, and we gave it to
him. Once again he reneged on his commitment. Military action is now
necessary to stop his efforts to produce weapons of mass destruction.
Our troops engaged in Iraq are doing good, important, and dangerous
work. They deserve our prayers and support.
As a member of the National Security Committee, I returned on Tuesday
from a trip to visit our troops deployed in the Balkans. I had the
opportunity to see first-hand the sacrifices our men and women in
uniform make in service to our nation. Americans in the Gulf are now
making the ultimate sacrifice and it is our responsibility to be
steadfast in our support.
This is not a time for partisan bickering. This is a time when we
must come together as a nation in support of our men and women fighting
for a just cause.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution and
provide their full backing to our fighting men and women in Iraq.
Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise today in support of
our troops in the Persian Gulf. In my mind, there is no more honorable
duty than that of our members of the armed services.
Since the close of the Persian Gulf War, Iraq has repeatedly refused
to comply with U.N. resolutions concerning its weapons of mass
destruction. Saddam Hussein continues

[[Page H11747]]

to thumb his nose at the United States. Iraq is a threat to both our
allies and our troops currently stationed in the region. I have always
and will always support military action to contain Iraq's dangerous
development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. It is time we
put a stop to Saddam Hussein and his ludicrous ways.
As a former member of the Navy I understand the commitment and love
for country which is needed to serve in our armed services. These
soldiers are giving the ultimate level of commitment by defending
freedom.
Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out to our troops and their
families.
Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of this resolution that
expresses our strong and absolute support for the men and women of the
U.S. armed forces deployed in the Persian Gulf for their
professionalism, patriotism, dedication, and courage. I am deeply
grateful to the soldiers and the families of these troops for their
contribution to the cause of peace and the national security of the
United States. When our troops are engaged in hostilities or are in
harms way, we unconditionally support them in the dangerous work that
they do to protect the interests of the United States. While the
President's timing of this attack is questionable, I leave that
question to the best judgment of the American people.
Saddam Hussein is a murderous dictator who cannot be permitted to
continue to release his terror on his people and the world. He has
repeatedly proven that he cannot be trusted, and Iraq will remain a
threat to peace as long as this dictator remains in charge. The mission
by our troops against Saddam Hussein is a just one and it is absolutely
necessary, but it should have come months ago.
I am very proud of all the American men and women who currently serve
our country in the Middle East. The presence of the greatest fighting
force in the world--the United States military--in the Middle East
plays a vital role in keeping peace there. These troops have our
unwavering support. May God be with each of them as they carry out
their task with patriotism and courage.
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, as the representative for Vandenberg Air
Force Base on the Central Coast of California, I have always supported
our servicemen and women and their families. Today, I rise today in
strong support of our troops and of this critical mission to protect
our national interest and safeguard our global stability.
Yesterday, we entered a new phase in our multilateral campaign to
rein in Saddam Hussein's ability to terrorize his people and his
neighbors, and to destabilize the Middle East and the international
community. There can be no doubt that this action is justified and
brought on solely by Saddam's refusal to allow UNSCOM to complete its
inspections in a thorough and timely manner. Decisive action was
undertaken at precisely the right time to bring about the greatest
impact with the least cost.
Hussein's attempts to manufacture chemical, biological and nuclear
weapons of mass destruction is well known, and so is his willingness to
use them. He must be stopped--by diplomatic measures if possible, but
by force if necessary. Only by confronting Saddam can we end his reign
of terror which has inflicted untold human suffering on his own people.
Mr. Speaker, this morning I spoke with the commander at Vandenberg to
express my support for the selfless work that he and his troops do
everyday in the service of this country. This dedication is always
brought into sharp focus during times like this, but make no mistake--
our military men and women are on the job every day to safeguard our
freedom. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their devotion to duty and
country which is present everyday and so particularly evident today.
I urge my colleagues to support our troops and their important
mission by passing this important resolution.
Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to return to Washington, DC,
today in time to cast my vote in favor of the House Resolution
supporting our military operations and personnel in the current action
against Saddam Hussein. The Majority Leadership in the House failed to
inform Members of the scheduling of a recorded vote until it was too
late for me to catch any flight last night from my district to
Washington. I fully support our military service men and women as they
carry out their duties in support of President Clinton's order for an
air and missile attack of Iraqi weapons-producing and military targets.
Now is the time for our nation to support the Commander in Chief who
was forced into this decision after United Nations arms inspectors
reported that Baghdad continues to obstruct the will and mandate of the
U.N.
Again, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the
resolution of support.
Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of President
Clinton's decision to order U.S. naval and air forces to strike at
military and government targets in Iraq in response to Saddam Hussein's
latest refusal to allow international arms officials to inspect weapons
facilities for biological and chemical weapons.
As long as weapons of mass destruction are in Hussein's possession,
Iraq poses a deadly threat to security in the already volatile Middle
East. In addition, he is capable of wreaking havoc anywhere in the
world--including the United States--using only a minimal amount of his
chemical/biological stockpile. Let me be clear, allowing Hussein to
continue gathering his weapons of mass destruction would have far
reaching consequences for the safety of mankind beyond the physical
boundaries of the middle east. One only has to see one of the well
publicized photos of a field of Kurdish corpses to see an example of
the chemical genocide he inflicted on his own people.
Hussein has tested the will of America and the world community one
too many times, and now he bears full responsibility for his actions.
The terms of the agreement that averted a November air strike were
clear: comply or face the consequences. However, Hussein continues to
engage in a long pattern of games in hiding Iraq's nuclear and
biological warfare capabilities. As long as Iraq plans to continue to
defy the United Nations and the world community by attempting to
continue to develop weapons of mass destruction in the face of
international condemnation, the United States must remain vigilant and
ready to act. This strike sends a firm message to Hussein that the
United States is not going to tolerate his failure to comply with
required weapons inspection obligations any longer. The United States,
as leader of the world community, must be prepared to act forcefully to
end Iraq's defiance, and I firmly support the use of this force to
eliminate Iraq's ability to produce weapons that threaten its
neighbors.
Terrorism is the single greatest threat to the Untied States and its
security. We need to stand behind the President's decision when our
national security is threatened. The brave men and women of the U.S.
Armed Forces deserve our unwavering support and gratitude, and I
commend each and everyone one of those brave soldiers carrying out this
important mission.
Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the
U.S. troops who are bravely carrying out this current action against
Iraq. Being deployed and separated from one's country and family is
difficult at any time, but especially during the Christmas season. I
join millions of Americans and others around the world in praying for
their safety during this time.
I also pray the Iraqi people will find a way to create for themselves
a government headed by legitimate leaders who can bring them back into
the fold of law-abiding nations. Until such change takes place, I fear
that the military presence of the United States, Britain, and other
nations will have to be maintained at great financial cost.
For several years, President Clinton has submitted to Congress a
defense budget in which he refused to include funding for the expensive
peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. This forces Congress to add so-called
emergency funding beyond the budget agreement or else seriously damage
the readiness of our other military forces by transferring money from
their budgets. With the almost certain end of the weapons inspection
mission, we face yet another prolonged, expensive deployment of U.S.
troops and equipment.
In light of his continued use of military forces for a wide range of
missions, I call upon the President to ensure a timely release of all
funds in the FY99 defense bills and the one billion dollars included in
the omnibus bill for national missile defense. I also ask that he
respond in a positive way to the many calls for a defense budget which
will meet the demands placed upon our military. We need to support our
troops not only in word, but also in deed, by providing the resources
they need to do their job.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). All time for debate has
expired.
The resolution is considered read for amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of today,
the previous question is ordered.
The question is on the resolution.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 417,
nays 5, answered ``present'' 1, not voting 12, as follows:

[Roll No. 539]

YEAS--417

Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Allen
Andrews
Archer
Armey
Bachus
Baker
Baldacci
Ballenger
Barcia
Barr
Barrett (NE)
Barrett (WI)

[[Page H11748]]

Bartlett
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Brady (PA)
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Frank (MA)
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John
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Miller (FL)
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Royce
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Salmon
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Sandlin
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Schaefer, Dan
Schaffer, Bob
Schumer
Scott
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Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Sisisky
Skaggs
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (OR)
Smith (TX)
Smith, Adam
Smith, Linda
Snyder
Solomon
Souder
Spence
Spratt
Stabenow
Stark
Stearns
Stenholm
Stokes
Strickland
Stump
Stupak
Sununu
Talent
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Thomas
Thompson
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Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
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Traficant
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Vento
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Wamp
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Watt (NC)
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Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Weygand
White
Whitfield
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Wilson
Wise
Wolf
Woolsey
Wynn
Yates
Young (AK)
Young (FL)

NAYS--5

Conyers
Lee
McKinney
Paul
Sanford

ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--1

Furse

NOT VOTING--12

Baesler
DeGette
Doolittle
Gallegly
Manton
Miller (CA)
Murtha
Rush
Sanchez
Scarborough
Snowbarger
Taylor (NC)

{time} 1300

So the resolution was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________