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




                ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The Chair would advise all 
Members to address their comments to the Chair.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  I stand here today to say I wholeheartedly support the decision of 
our President and Commander in Chief to launch a series of air strikes 
against Iraq and that I support 100 percent the resolution we will be 
voting on shortly.
  While it is a sad day, this action was necessary. It is an action 
that is justified. Every avenue has been exhausted to prevent this, but 
ultimately, it is action prompted by Saddam Hussein and his contempt 
for complying with the international rule of law.
  Now the consequences for that disdain must be realized. In a closed 
door session in this House last night, all Members, Republicans and 
Democrats, met with Defense Secretary Cohen. I think any reservations 
with regard to timing were put to rest at that time. But if further 
questions linger, I should point out that important congressional and 
Senatorial voices of support are strongly behind the President's 
actions. These voices include House Committee on International 
Relations member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), incoming 
Senate Committee on Armed Services chairman, John Warner, Senate 
Committee on Foreign Relations chairman, Jesse Helms, Senator Daschle 
and Senator Richard Lugar, who said the attack came at exactly the 
right time, that any other decision would have severely damaged the 
credibility of our United States.
  I wish to conclude by saying to our men and women in uniform, you 
have our undivided support. You represent our Nation's finest. You 
defend not only our freedom but also the ideals of democracy across the 
globe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

                          ____________________