[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN CULBERSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of our 
President and this resolution that will authorize him to use the United 
States Armed Forces to confront the threat posed by Iraqi dictator 
Saddam Hussein. I believe that this is a vote about trust. As many of 
my colleagues have stated, the Constitution of the United States grants 
Congress the power to declare war, and designate the President as the 
Commander in Chief. I trust President Bush and his Administration to 
make the right decisions with our armed forces. He has shown that he is 
a thoughtful and deliberate wartime president, and Congress should give 
him the authority to continue performing his duty on behalf of all 
Americans. This vote is our expression of trust in the President, and I 
hope that all Americans will express their trust in the President when 
they go to vote in November.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution gives the President the necessary 
flexibility to confront the threat posed by Saddam Hussein through 
diplomatic or military means. I will support any diplomatic efforts 
taken by the Administration, but I am convinced that military action 
will be necessary in the end. In the past, Saddam Hussein and his 
regime have only responded to military force, and this resolution will 
guarantee that option to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, we must not wait until Saddam Hussein or terrorists that 
he has supported have the capability to attack the United States with 
weapons of mass destruction. Today, with this vote, Congress will give 
the President the discretion and the freedom to act whenever he thinks 
it is necessary to protect all Americans. At this critical point in 
history, inaction is not an option. We must destroy the capability of 
this evil dictator to hold his own people and the people of the world 
hostage. He must be stopped, and he must be stopped now. I would 
encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting for his historic 
resolution. The safety of the United States hands in the balance.

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