[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8956-H8957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 7, 2003, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) is recognized.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, it is another week of major activity in the 
war on terror. The President will sign the first annual Department of 
Homeland Security spending bill in American history. The House will 
continue our consideration of the President's spending request for 
military and democracy-building operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
American and Coalition Forces will continue their work around the globe 
to ensure the security of our people and the success of our cause.
  None of these actions would be relevant or even possible without the 
others, because without bolstering our civil defense here at home, our 
anti-terror activities around the world would be useless; without our 
aggressive actions to root out and destroy terrorist cells where they 
live and plan, all of the Homeland Security spending in the world would 
be useless; and, finally, without an intense commitment to build viable 
and tolerant democracies in former terrorist states, neither our 
national nor domestic security goals could be met.
  The results speak for themselves. Since 9/11, no terrorist attack has 
scarred our soil. Two tyrannical regimes have been replaced by 
fledgling democracies. And threats, be they terrorist states, networks 
or individuals, have been captured or destroyed, no longer to threaten 
innocent Americans.
  The comprehensive security strategy of the Bush Doctrine that folds 
in homeland, national and international security priorities is working. 
Because of that comprehensive strategy, the United States has 
successfully combatted terrorism abroad and repelled it at home for 
more than 2 years.

[[Page H8957]]

  The lesson of the Bush Doctrine is very clear: You cannot separate 
homeland and national defense. They are one and the same comprehensive 
and indivisible security policy.
  Critics can complain about one application of this policy or another, 
but given its overwhelming success and the absence of an alternative, 
these critics do so to the detriment of their own credibility. Without 
an alternative policy, these critics must be supporting the weak and 
indecisive foreign policy of the past.
  This week, America's war on terror will move forward with strength 
and confidence, as always, with one objective in mind, and that is 
victory.
  I commend the President for his leadership and urge him to stay bold 
in his defense of American lives and human freedom.

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