[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 40 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
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. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2004

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, war does not discriminate on the basis of 
race, gender, ethnicity or religion--it is indifferent to background or 
boundaries, social standing or political affiliation. War impacts all 
of those involved with an impartial voracity. Honoring our men and 
women for the sacrifice, strength and courage they have demonstrated 
while in Iraq should be as unbiased--it should not be mired in 
partisanship or petty politics.
  With a unified voice, the House of Representatives should approve a 
resolution that acknowledges the bravery of the American men and women 
in Iraq and the sacrifices they and their families have made for the 
sake of our nation. It should recognize the 575 American soldiers who 
have lost their lives in Iraq, soldiers who have made the ultimate 
sacrifice for our country, as well as the more than 3,000 wounded 
troops who are struggling to recover from their injuries. We are deeply 
indebted to these men and women and grateful for the hardships they 
have endured. We should vote on, and unanimously pass, a resolution 
that unequivocally communicates this.
  However, the Republican majority has presented a resolution that 
specifically and intentionally prevents unanimous support from this 
body. The divisive language alleging that the world is a safer place 
after the Iraqi invasion, is not only a point of great contention, it 
is a distraction from what should be the sole focus of the resolution: 
to commend our tireless troops in Iraq. Indeed, the Republican majority 
has squandered the opportunity to send a message of unwavering support 
to the American men and women in the field, instead opting to 
politicize the issue in order to advance its own political agenda.
  In good faith, I cannot vote for a resolution that asserts that the 
world is safer since the U.S. invasion of Iraq when by every account, 
the world is glaringly even more vulnerable, as partly evidenced by the 
horrific bombing in Madrid last week. When our country chooses to 
unilaterally use force before exhausting all diplomatic avenues, we 
risk alienating ourselves from our allies and emboldening our enemies. 
Unfortunately, I believe our go-it-alone strategy in Iraq has done just 
that.
  While I cannot vote for this resolution, I am steadfast in my support 
for the American men and women fighting in Iraq and believe we must 
support them both by word and action. We must fight to get our troops 
home quickly and safely while upholding the commitment we have made to 
the Iraqi people. The best possible way to achieve this is by working 
with the international community to rebuild Iraq. Additionally, we must 
ensure that our troops, in the field and once they have returned home, 
have the benefits they rightfully deserve, including increased access 
to medical care and deserved increases in the family separation 
allowance and imminent danger pay.

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