[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 35 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RELATING TO THE LIBERATION OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND THE VALIANT SERVICE 
         OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND COALITION FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2004

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 
557 to commend the valiant service of the men and women of the United 
States and Coalition armed forces. One year ago these men and women 
were called on not only to protect the national security of the United 
States, but also to free the world of a ruthless and brutal dictator. I 
feel privileged to represent a large number of these men and women in 
the Fourth Congressional District of Florida.
  In the beginning hours of the conflict, brave pilots of the Air Force 
flew bombing missions without knowing if they would be a target of 
Saddam's weak, but still existent surface to air missile capability. 
U.S. Marines stormed the port of Umm Qasr to ensure Saddam could not 
use his oil facilities to commit acts of environmental terrorism as he 
had in Operation Desert Storm. The United States Army pushed forward 
quickly to take Baghdad before Saddam could use his own people as human 
shields; while the fleet of the United States Navy sat ready to launch 
air and Tomahawk strikes to support them. If there is one thing that 
Operation Iraqi Freedom has demonstrated to the American people, it is 
that there is no longer a dividing line between active and reserve 
component troops in armed conflict. The men and women of the Florida 
National Guard were trained and ready to deploy within 24 hours when 
asked by their Commander in Chief. These citizen soldiers left higher 
paying jobs and loving families to fight in an inhospitable and rough 
environment with their active duty counterparts. It was this dedication 
and courage that defeated Saddam and his regime. It was this dedication 
and courage that rebuilt schools and hospitals so the people of Iraq 
could receive these basic human services for the first time in three 
decades.
  As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military 
Construction, I visited Iraq in August of last year. On this trip, I 
had the opportunity to sit down and talk with both active and reserve 
members of the Army, Marines Corps, and Air Force about their 
experiences. All of these men and women were proud of the mission of 
the United States and were eager to tell stories of grateful Iraqis.
  I recently had the pleasure of meeting up again with an officer who I 
had first met on my trip to Iraq. When I asked him how he was doing, he 
told me the sad story of how he had just visited one of his soldiers 
who had lost both of his legs in Iraq. Even with this gruesome memory, 
he told me that both he and his soldiers would do it all over again. 
This officer's sentiment demonstrates the dedication and courage of our 
armed forces and it is this reason I rise to speak in support of H.R. 
557.

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