[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 46 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E549-E550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WHEN WAR COMES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of the sad events leading 
up to this war, I have fought as a U.S. Congressman and with an 
enduring sense of duty and compassion for all Americans, to oppose a 
war that I believe is unjust and unnecessary at this time.
  Now that the fighting has begun and the brave men and women of our 
armed forces go forward into harm's way, we must honor their sacrifices 
and we humbly salute their service.
  As Americans we are united in prayers for their safe return. And we 
hope that a victory will lead us to a different era when violence will 
be replaced by a new vision of justice, tolerance, security and peace, 
for all people.
  As I support our troops' dedication to service and commitment to 
getting the job done with as little loss of life as possible, as a 
Congressman and as an American I remain convinced that diplomacy should 
always be primary and war secondary.
  Sometimes the course of history cannot be changed and nations on a 
collision course cannot be diverted from each other. This is one of 
those times. However, this too shall pass.
  As we look toward the future, as we pledge to help rebuild a post-war 
Iraq, I would sincerely urge the Bush Administration to also work to 
rebuild our relationship with the people and countries that comprise 
the United Nations.
  Already, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan is offering his hand in 
cooperation. Today, he said, ``Let us not dwell on the divisions of the 
past. Let us confront the harsh realities of the present, however 
harsh, and look for ways to forge stronger unity in the future.
  Also, he said, ``The peoples of the world . . . have made clear that 
. . . they want to see power harnessed to legitimacy. They want their 
leaders to come together, in the United Nations, to resolve the 
problems shared by all humanity,'' the Secretary-General said.
  And I agree.
  It is only through mutual respect and cooperation between nations 
that we can mount a sustained fight to end global acts of terrorism.

[[Page E550]]

  And at the same time we must fully address those problems and 
political ideologies that breed terrorists so this problem will end.
  As the last remaining superpower on earth--a giant among nations--I 
believe we must err on the side of caution rather than risk undo injury 
to smaller nations that are hapless before the will of a giant, a 
superpower.
  Again, Mr. Speaker . . . now that the fighting has begun and the 
brave men and women of our armed forces go forward into harm's way, we 
must honor their sacrifices and we humbly salute their service.
  And as Americans we are united in prayers for their safe return.
  God bless all the people of this earth and may the peacemakers who 
emerge from this conflict carry the future, for the good of all 
humankind.

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