[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 50 (Thursday, March 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E612-E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONCERNING TREATMENT OF MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES HELD AS PRISONER OF WAR 
                          BY IRAQI AUTHORITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, today I urge all Americans to unite in 
support of our troops now engaged in battle in Iraq.
  Our Commander and Chief, with the approval of Congress, called our 
armed forces into action to disarm a rogue regime that threatens our 
freedom and security.
  With our troops now in the line of fire, with more than 28 Americans 
having made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, the time for protest 
has past. The time for unity has arrived.
  We live in a free society where we all share the right to debate the 
best policies for our nation. And in a free society, each of us also 
has the right to assemble and to protest. These are sacred rights.
  But once our nation has decided to act through our democratic 
process, and once our troops have been sent into harm's way, the time 
for debate and protest is over.
  Just as we share sacred rights, we also share sacred duties. Today, 
with American troops in the field, we all share a duty to unite behind 
them and ensure that our actions do them no harm.
  But if just one floor speech by a member of Congress, just one 
acceptance speech by a Hollywood director, or just one street protest 
causes Saddam Hussein and his forces to hold on for even one day 
longer, then those responsible will have done a terrible disservice to 
those serving so bravely in our name.
  I would never question any American's right to speak or protest, I 
only question the wisdom of doing so at this time.
  No matter what political beliefs we hold, we are all Americans--and 
those soldiers in uniform fighting on the front lines are our brothers 
and sisters, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers.
  Those who undertake further protests at this point only fuel the 
resolve of our enemy, and they must take full responsibility for their 
actions.
  Perhaps some need to be reminded why we are fighting and what we are 
fighting against.

[[Page E613]]

  Americans were sent to disarm an evil regime that has stockpiled 
weapons of mass destruction that threaten the peace and security of the 
free world.
  26,000 liters of anthrax. 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin. 500 tons 
of sarin, mustard gas, and VX nerve agents; enough chemical and 
biological weapons to kill millions of innocent people in a single act 
of terrorism.
  I agree with President Bush, the risk of doing nothing is far greater 
than the risk of doing something.
  Americans were also sent to Iraq to end a regime of terror. A regime 
that has used chemical weapons on its own population, a regime that has 
made rape and torture an instrument of public policy.
  Just ask 68-year-old mother, Zahra Khafi, recently liberated by 
American forces, whose 28-year-old son was summarily executed two years 
ago by Saddam Hussein's regime for merely practicing his religion, a 
branch of Islam out of official favor. She greeted our troops saying, 
``peace be upon you, peace be upon you.''
  ``Should I be afraid?'' she said, wiping her eyes. ``Is Saddam coming 
back?''
  Ask All Khemy, who said after the 1st Marine Expeditionary Unit 
liberated his village, ``Americans very good . . . Iraq wants to be 
free.''
  President Ronald Reagan once said ``no weapon in the arsenals of the 
world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and 
women.'' The minions of tyranny and evil are learning that lesson 
today.
  Our nation has met much greater challenges and we have faced darker 
days. During the Civil War when brother fought brother, President 
Abraham Lincoln solemnly stated, ``I have often been driven to my knees 
with the overwhelming conviction I had no where else to go.''
  I believe now is a good time for all Americans to be driven to our 
knees and pray for a speedy victory . . . pray for our men and women in 
uniform, and pray for a peaceful world no longer threatened with 
weapons of mass destruction.
  Our cause is just. Our victory is inevitable. Freedom will prevail. 
But we must all must unite behind our troops today.

                          ____________________