[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 121 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1636]]
  JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES 
                              AGAINST IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 23, 2002

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
Joint Resolution. It authorizes the use of U.S. Armed Forces to defend 
our national security interests against the threat posed by Iraq. 
However, this Resolution does set some definitive conditions for the 
President prior to engaging the U.S. Armed Forces. It requires the 
President to exhaust diplomatic efforts to obtain Iraq's compliance 
with the U.N. Security Council Resolutions. It also requires the 
President to present the Congress with a comprehensive plan of how 
stability will be maintained in the region in a post-strike 
environment.
  The young men and women of our Armed Forces are already fighting a 
war on terrorism. Before we expand their role, and send them even 
deeper into harm's way, I want assurances that we have explored and 
exhausted every avenue for a peaceful and diplomatic solution. I also 
want assurances that we have a plan for maintaining stability in the 
region once we declare victory.
  Let me be perfectly clear. I am well aware that for more than a 
decade, Iraq has violated virtually every U.N. Security Council 
Resolution. With each violation, the threat to international peace and 
security becomes more ominous. I believe that Iraq not only poses a 
threat to our national security interests, but also threatens the 
stability and security of the entire region and indeed, the world. It 
is becoming more and more evident that we must be proactive in 
defending our nation. We know that the United States is a terrorism 
target, and we know that Iraq constitutes a real and imminent threat 
against our national security interests.
  However, only Congress has the authority to declare war. The Congress 
must be convinced that every conceivable option has been explored. The 
Congress must be convinced that the post-strike plan for maintaining 
stability in that region is achievable. The Congress must agree that a 
preemptive strike is our only course of action.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for this Resolution.

                          ____________________