[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H2526]]
                              {time}  2015
                      AMERICA NEEDS SMART SECURITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cole). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago on May 1, President Bush made a 
huge mistake when he stood in front of a banner that read ``Mission 
Accomplished'' and told the Nation that major combat operations in Iraq 
were over; huge error. The truth is that major combat operations are 
very far from being over. Of the 734 American soldiers who have died in 
Iraq, nearly 600 have died since the President claimed an end to major 
combat operations.
  April of the year 2004 was just as devastating to our troop levels as 
April of the year 2003. To add insult to injury, the Bush 
administration continues to maintain its tight grip on the media, 
engaging in a brand of censorship that is at stark contrast with 
fundamental American values of freedom of speech and freedom of press, 
a mistake in every way in this country of ours.
  First the Coalition Provisional Authority, which runs Iraq and which 
was created by the Bush administration, decided to create its own 
television operation to broadcast live to the United States 24 hours a 
day from Iraq. The point of C-SPAN Baghdad, as it was dubbed, was to 
put a positive spin on events and circumvent the major networks by 
transmitting directly to local and regional media outlets in the United 
States. This is not the first time Bush has attempted to control the 
media in Iraq.
  Fearing that support for the Iraq war would fade if Americans caught 
sight of U.S. soldiers returning home in flag-draped caskets, the Bush 
administration banned all coverage and photography of dead soldiers' 
homecoming on military bases. Another gross mistake, our President has 
not attended any homecoming or burials to date.
  There has to be a better way and there is, one that emphasizes brain 
instead of brawn, one that is consistent with American values, one that 
trusts Americans will do the right thing when they know the truth. I 
have introduced legislation to create a SMART security platform for the 
21st century. SMART stands for Sensible Multilateral American Response 
to Terrorism. SMART treats war as an absolute last resort. It fights 
terrorism with stronger intelligence and multilateral partnerships. It 
controls the spread of weapons of mass destruction with a renewed 
commitment to nonproliferation, and it aggressively invests in the 
development of impoverished Nations with an emphasis on women's health 
and women's education in Third World countries.
  SMART legislation promotes more effective conflict assessment and 
early warning systems, multilateral rapid response mechanisms, human 
rights monitoring, civilian policing and investment in civil programs 
and fair judicial systems. SMART security is about promoting a foreign 
policy that is open and honest, not one that is cloaked in secrecy and 
hidden agendas.
  If we cannot trust our government to pursue policies that are best 
for America, then I ask, who can we trust? The Bush doctrine has been 
tried; and it has failed. It is time for a new national security 
strategy. SMART Security defends America by relying on the very best of 
America: Our commitment to peace and freedom, our compassion for the 
people of the world, and our capacity for multilateral leadership. 
SMART Security is tough, it is pragmatic and it is patriotic. SMART 
Security is smart, and it will keep America safe.

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