[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 36 (Monday, March 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E415-E416]
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. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2004

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, all of us in this chamber are united in our 
commitment to support our troops in Iraq. It is that commitment that 
creates a strong presumption in my own mind on any resolution that 
recognizes their honorable goals, their services to country and their 
need for best support possible.
  Along with my Democratic colleagues, we would also rush to sponsor 
and support a resolution that highlighted the crimes of Saddam

[[Page E416]]

Hussein. There was never any disagreement in this Chamber on the evil 
he represented and we all applaud our troops for bringing him to 
justice. They did the job they were asked to do and more.
  But I pause on supporting this resolution on two counts. This war has 
not brought greater stability to the area. It has not enhanced 
America's leadership position or created stronger alliances. While our 
soldiers have fought with honor--even as we speak here--the 
administration failed to support their efforts with a plan to win the 
peace, bring stability or share the burden and risk. We still wait for 
the President to speak honestly with the American people about the 
failed intelligence estimates and the reasons for the rush to war. 
America remains isolated, which is itself a risk to our security and 
our troops.
  This resolution is silent on these questions and the leadership will 
not allow them to be addressed.
  There is no commitment to ensuring that our troops have the best 
protection equipment available, no commitment to getting wounded troops 
the best health care as quickly as possible. There is no mention of the 
heroic contributions our reserve troops have provided or the very 
serious challenges that lie ahead in Iraq. Any resolution honoring and 
supporting our troops would express these sentiments.
  What I find most egregious is that at the very moment we debate this 
resolution, the Budget Committee is considering a budget that omits 
funding for many of our most pressing priorities in Iraq. During 
consideration of this budget, the majority has turned aside efforts to 
increase our commitment to health care for reservists, for military 
housing programs and to educate military schoolchildren. At a time when 
we have families of troops searching the Internet to buy body armor for 
their loved ones in Iraq because this Congress has failed to provide it 
for them, that is the very least we should be doing for these brave men 
and women. Had Democrats been allowed the elemental rights of a 
minority, we would have incorporated language that made clear 
Congress's first obligation was to provide our troops in Iraq with the 
security and the best equipment available.
  To be frank, the hypocrisy of this Congress in offering this 
resolution but not the actual support, tempts me to fight back and 
protest on behalf of our men and women in Iraq and in the reserves.
  But stronger in my heart is an appreciation for our troops that keep 
us free. I cast my vote for those words in the resolution and express 
my personal exception to the majority's maneuvering that has diminished 
their resolution and our work.
  Fortunately, we will have more opportunities to express our views 
about our postwar policy in Iraq and failure to genuinely support our 
military and veterans.

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