[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMBATTING TERROR AND EVIL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, last night, the United States continued its 
march against those who threaten the security of the United States. As 
the United States leads a coalition of nations willing to combat terror 
and evil, I offer my prayers to our heroic men and women who have been 
called on to defend our freedom. These brave soldiers are the latest of 
a long and proud history of courageous Americans dedicated to 
protecting the citizens of the United States.
  For 12 long years, Iraq has failed to disarm and live up to the 
agreements it promised to uphold. By choosing not to disarm or to 
surrender power peacefully, Saddam Hussein has left us with no other 
option but to disarm him by force.
  This is a critical moment in American history. We could either choose 
the path of appeasement or choose the path of forceful disarmament. 
History has shown that appeasement has never prevented war; it only 
postponed war. America must not wait for Saddam Hussein to build an 
arsenal strong enough and deadly enough to blackmail the Free World. 
The time for action is now. May God Bless America.

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