[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1363-S1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, for the last 4 years, the United States 
has been locked in combat with the forces of terror. These extremists 
do not understand freedom and are trying even to this very day to 
spread their message of hate and oppression. America did not fire the 
first shot. Those killed on September 11 were innocent and did not 
deserve to die. They should be with us today. The forces of terror 
remain determined to defeat our Nation. They believe the United States 
will abandon Iraq and Afghanistan. They question our will to fight. 
They doubt our courage and our fortitude. They are wrong.
  Our Nation has stepped up to fight and has never looked back. Under 
President Bush's leadership, our country has taken the battle to the 
enemy. As the President said in his State of the Union Address:

       Our country is still the target of terrorists who want to 
     kill many and intimidate us all,

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     and we will stay on the offensive against them until the 
     fight is won.

  In less than 3 months after September 11, United States and Afghan 
forces toppled the Taliban regime, a brutal theocracy shielding al-
Qaida and other terrorists. A year after September 11, the President 
challenged the United Nations to confront another protector of terror, 
Saddam Hussein. This cruel dictator threatened his neighbors, his 
people, and our country with his support for terror and his pursuit of 
weapons of mass destruction. He lied, cajoled, intimidated, and 
murdered. Our Nation did not stop with Afghanistan and Iraq. Our forces 
have sought out the enemy, cut off his funding resources, and disrupted 
his plans. We have captured thousands of terrorists, destroyed 
their networks, and prevented new attacks. There have been many 
successes in this war, and we should be encouraged and strengthened by 
our progress.

  Our men and women in our Armed Forces are the real heroes in this 
conflict. They have fought and sacrificed for our country. Tragically, 
some have paid the ultimate price. Today nearly 200,000 soldiers, 
sailors, airmen, and marines are deployed in hotspots around the world. 
They continue to take the fight to the enemy and defeat him wherever he 
appears. Our men and women in uniform are determined and ready.
  I visited our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I have seen with my 
own eyes their commitment and determination. It is phenomenal. They 
believe in what they are doing. They know they are making a difference. 
I am reminded of those who have already sacrificed much but yet have 
not given up and remain committed to their duty. Soldiers such as Army 
CPT David Roselle have been an inspiration to me and many other 
Coloradans. While on patrol last year in Iraq, Captain Roselle lost a 
leg when an antitank mine went off nearby. After several surgeries and 
intense physical therapy, Captain Roselle rebuilt and retrained his 
muscles. He conducted 4-hour sessions of daily exercise, including 
mountain biking, weight lifting, swimming, and climbing. Six months 
after his last surgery, Captain Roselle was skiing down the slopes of 
the Colorado Rockies.
  But the story does not end there. Now just over a year later, Captain 
Roselle is still in the Army, and commands the headquarters company of 
the 3rd Army Cavalry and is preparing to deploy with the unit this 
spring. It is Captain Roselle's relentlessness, his call to duty, and 
his determination to defend our great Nation that tells me that our 
forces are strong and victory remains the only option.
  Our men and women deployed in combat are not the only heroes. I 
cannot fully express my admiration for the families of these soldiers, 
sailors, airmen, and marines. For months at a time, military families 
are asked to hold everything together and support their loved ones 
overseas. They have done this and have done it with pride.
  Organizations such as Colorado's Home Front Heroes have also stepped 
up and supported our troops. Home Front Heroes has provided family 
support when none was available and sent thousands of care packages to 
our soldiers deployed overseas. The organization led the drive to get 
the State of Colorado to designate March 29 Support Our Troops Day. And 
in one case, Home Front Heroes actually paid for family members to 
travel to Germany to visit their wounded loved ones.
  I see it all over Colorado. There is a steely determination to see 
the global war on terrorism completed and victory achieved. That is why 
it is more important than ever for Congress to do its part.
  This week the Senate will receive the President's request for 
supplemental appropriations. This money is critical to continuing the 
war on terror and ensuring our troops have the necessary equipment, 
training, and information to succeed on the battlefield. While some may 
argue that this money should be included in the budget or that certain 
items are not emergencies, none of us would argue that the money is not 
needed. We know our troops need improved protection. Our chief of staff 
for the Army has testified that much of the Army's equipment is worn 
down and should be replaced. We owe it to our military families to 
provide the increased death gratuity.
  As we consider this important appropriation, let us remember our 
successes so far. Fifty million people in Afghanistan and Iraq have 
tasted freedom and for most were able to cast a vote for the first 
time. Cities are being rebuilt and market economies are being 
developed. Terror networks have collapsed and funding for these 
networks is drying up. The war is not over, but we are making a 
difference. Congress must do its part. Now is the time for Congress to 
act.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from South Dakota is 
recognized.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I recently had the good fortune to travel 
to Iraq with my colleagues Senator Inhofe and Senator Isakson. With my 
own eyes, I saw the political genesis of a nation moving from tyranny 
to liberty. This process was made possible by the skill and 
determination of our troops, the strides being made by the Iraqi 
security forces, and the growing determination of the Iraqi people to 
engage in the democratic process.
  I cannot say enough about the sacrifice and dedication of our troops. 
Their professionalism and devotion to duty are truly inspiring. And I 
am convinced now more than ever the United States has the finest 
military in the world. To those who know it best, our military's might 
is not defined only by its sheer firepower but by the individual 
soldiers who all play their part in making a multifaceted operation 
like this possible.
  Of course, our service members perform their military 
responsibilities with pride, with diligence, and with professionalism. 
But many of them also work hand to hand with the Iraqis every day 
trying to bridge the gaps in language, culture, and community, to forge 
a common bond cemented by freedom. In doing so, our men and women in 
uniform represent all that is good about our country.
  My fellow Senators and I also visited wounded American soldiers in a 
military hospital in Germany on our way back from Iraq. These brave men 
and women who have already sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom 
were mostly and primarily concerned with getting back together with 
their units and for the well-being of their peers who are still in 
Iraq. That warrior spirit among these brave men and women is inspiring 
and gave me pause to consider what is clearly at stake for the Iraqi 
people.
  Our National Guard and Reserves are also playing a critical role in 
Iraq. Three days ago I was honored to be able to welcome home the 
Second Battalion, 147th Field Artillery of the South Dakota National 
Guard from Iraq. These citizen soldiers put their lives on hold for 
over a year to provide critically needed support. They performed their 
mission effectively and honorably, and I applaud their selfless 
sacrifice.

  The Iraqi people also deserve our admiration and thanks. While in 
Iraq we met with General David Petraeus who is in charge of training 
Iraqi securities forces. He was upbeat about their progress and the 
efficiency that is beginning to take root. General Petraeus's 
convictions were legitimized by the effectiveness shown by the Iraqi 
security forces on election day. Those forces were the first line of 
defense in successfully protecting over 5,000 polling stations 
throughout Iraq, none of which were penetrated by the insurgents. Some 
of the Iraqi security forces even gave their lives so their fellow 
countrymen could vote.
  Perhaps the bravest of all on election day were the Iraqi citizens 
who also risked their lives by taking that critical first step on their 
journey to self-determination. The insurgents and terrorists grossly 
underestimated the Iraqi people's courage and thirst for freedom. The 
Iraqi people did not buckle under threats of violence and murder. 
Instead they spoke out with a great voice that has been heard 
throughout the world and well into the annals of recorded history. They 
have demanded their right to self-determination, their right to live 
their lives as they see fit, free from tyranny, free from fear, free 
from extremism. On election day, they earned that right.
  Let me be clear, there is still much work that needs to be done, and 
there are still enemies to fight. But freedom's light does not shine 
without a

[[Page S1365]]

price. The Iraqi people know this. They understand a new Iraq must not 
be dominated by only one ethnic or religious sect. Many Iraqis I met 
with, including Shiites and others, expressed the belief that for 
democracy to work, the Sunnis, who now find themselves the minority, 
must be a part of and represented in an inclusive Iraqi government.

  Of course we all look forward to a free and stable Iraq. But we 
should not attempt to impose an artificial time line on this goal. 
Instead we should focus on a conditions-based schedule that allows for 
a responsible transfer of responsibility from American to Iraqi troops. 
Our generals support that concept, not arbitrary deadlines. When the 
conditions are right for us to leave, we will know and so will a free 
and sovereign Iraq.
  I believe the recent elections and the self-confidence they have 
inspired in the Iraqi people may represent a turning point in the 
struggle for democracy in Iraq. With the bravery and the dedication of 
our troops and the courage of the Iraqi people and their security 
forces, we can look forward to the day when our troops come home with 
the honor they have earned.
  We will soon be debating legislation that will provide funding and 
resources for our troops to complete their mission. It is critical that 
in the course of this debate we understand what is happening today in 
Iraq and what it means for American troops who are bringing about 
freedom and democracy. We must make sure they have the resources, the 
equipment, the training, and the weaponry to succeed in this mission.
  The insurgents, who continue to prey upon the fears of the Iraqi 
people, who resort to tactics and thuggery and indiscriminately kill 
innocent people, are not going to go quietly. It is important that we 
complete this mission. It is important that we win and secure the 
freedom of the Iraqi people. It was clear to me, having traveled to 
Iraq and listened firsthand to the stories that have been shared and 
conveyed by Iraqi voters, who for the first time were able to take that 
ink-stained finger and mark a ballot, that they are committed to the 
cause of freedom and democracy in their own country.
  We heard statements such as ``we are profoundly grateful.'' We heard 
statements talking about how the mission is succeeding, but it is still 
fragile, how we need to continue to focus on training and equipping 
Iraqi security forces, and that the reconstruction needs to move 
faster.
  Engagement with the Iraqis is the way for us to succeed, and giving 
the Iraqis the opportunity to govern, which is what the elections were 
all about. Giving the Iraqis the opportunity to defend the freedom they 
secured when they voted on election day should be our mission in Iraq. 
It is important as a nation, as a Congress, and here in the Senate, 
that we take the steps necessary to ensure that our troops--our young 
men and women who are bravely and courageously setting and laying the 
foundation for a safe, strong, and free Iraq--have what they need to 
complete that mission.
  I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Georgia is 
recognized.
  Mr. IZAKSON. Mr. President, the President has sent to us an $81.9 
billion supplemental for our war against terror and the fight in Iraq 
and Afghanistan. This morning, in Congress Daily, I read a quote about 
that supplemental from the distinguished ranking member of the 
Appropriations Committee:

       This supplemental request provides support for our men and 
     women in uniform, but it provides little basis for optimism 
     for a stable and secure Iraq.

  The comment of the respected distinguished Senator from West Virginia 
deserves amplification in terms of stability and security in Iraq.
  I am pleased to have just returned from Iraq with Senator Thune, who 
just spoke, and to have had the chance to see firsthand the results of 
what our men and women in our Armed Forces have been doing in Iraq 
since we deposed Saddam Hussein and began providing peace and a 
foundation for future security. In fact, it is that foundation I would 
like to address.
  There are three key pillars to security and stability in Iraq. The 
first pillar is for us to continue this year, and for a time uncertain, 
to provide the Iraqi people with security so they can complete the 
writing of their constitution, hold their permanent elections, and 
allow their democracy to flourish. The second pillar is that government 
itself. It is essential that we pass this supplemental to continue the 
security and allow those who were recently elected to form their 
constitution and do their work.

  When you talk about optimism, I have to share a story about the 
recent visit. Senator Thune, Senator Inhofe, and I met with deputy 
Ambassador Salih, a Kurd. We met alone, with no staff, no press, no 
encouragement, total candor. We asked Mr. Salih, a Kurd in the 
minority--and even though the results of the election were not complete 
at the time we were there, we knew they would be in a minority. We 
asked:

       Don't you fear that the Shiites, who will inevitably be in 
     the majority, will overrun you?

  He said:

       Oh, no, we have a secret weapon.

  This is a Kurdish leader in the middle of Iraq in the 21st century 
who said he had a secret weapon. He said that secret weapon is one 
word: ``Filibuster.'' Then he proceeded to describe their study of 
American democracy and our Republic. If there were ever a reason for 
optimism about what this supplemental provides for the people of Iraq 
and their stability and security, it is one of their minority leaders 
proudly stating one of the pillars and principles of our Government as 
the way they would ensure that the majority never overran the minority.
  Following that meeting, we went and met with Dr. Al-Rubiae, a Shiite, 
obviously to be in the majority. We worried that since, for so many 
years, they had been the victims of the Sunnis--since they now would be 
in a majority, would there be a propensity to overrun the minority? So 
we asked:

       Dr. al-Rubiae, what will you do? Will the minority have a 
     voice?

  He said:

       The American Constitution requires two-thirds vote to amend 
     the Constitution. We will require two-thirds vote to adopt 
     ours.

  The point is very clear. He, too, had studied Adams and Jefferson and 
our Founding Fathers. Knowing he would be in the majority, he 
recognized that the peace, strength, and stability in Iraq was 
predicated upon the majority not overrunning the minority.
  So when we question whether this supplemental provides any optimism 
for stability and security in Iraq, I submit those two absolutely 
accurate quotes of two gentlemen--one in the majority and one in the 
majority--those who will take part in writing the constitution. Who 
would have thought they would quote Jefferson or Adams or our 
Constitution 6 months ago, or a year ago, or 2 years ago? It is because 
of the men and women we have sent into harm's way, the coalition 
forces, our commitment to freedom, and our present commitment to 
spreading democracy around the globe that today provides great optimism 
in Iraq.
  But there is a third pillar we must consider as well, which is the 
future ability of the Iraqis--once their constitution is written, their 
government is established, and our troops lessen--to be able to secure 
themselves. There have been a lot of comments about whether they can do 
that. I give you comments that Lieutenant General Petraeus shared with 
us on our visit.
  First, the coalition forces have trained 136,065 Iraqis. Our goal by 
the end of this year is 200,000. Recruiting has mushroomed since the 
election. In fact, on television, some of you have seen the lines the 
day after the election that showed up at recruiting centers that were 
previously vacant. So we know the resources are coming. Our coalition 
forces are helping us with their training, and already the Iraqis who 
are trained are demonstrating heroism just like the heroism of our 
American soldiers. There is no better example than this: On election 
day, when at a polling place an Iraqi-trained soldier by our coalition 
forces was in the first line of defense, as were Iraqis at every 
polling place, all 5,200. He spotted a suspicious character. He 
approached him. He noticed the bulging waistline, symmetrically 
indicating a bomb. He threw himself on the bomber and the bomber 
detonated the bomb. The Iraqi soldier, trained by coalition forces,

[[Page S1366]]

gave his life. Those in line to vote, identifying with their index 
finger their commitment to liberty, were not injured and did not leave. 
They voted and democracy was born in that precinct, in that district in 
Iraq, in large measure, because of the bravery and heroism of that 
Iraqi soldier, trained by United States and coalition forces.

  So as we consider the $81.9 billion for the continuation of our 
effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to a certain extent in the Middle 
East, if we look for optimism, it surrounds us everywhere. Only after 
our engagement in Afghanistan were the Taliban deposed. Only after our 
engagement in Iraq was Hussein captured. Only after our commitment 
against terrorism and countries that harbor terrorists did Libya give 
up its weapons of mass destruction.
  Recently, the Palestinians elected a new leader, Abbas, and already 
the prospect for hope and peace in the Middle East between Israel and 
Palestine is brighter. To me, that is great optimism for the future of 
security and stability, not only in Iraq, not only in the Middle East, 
but throughout the world.
  We also must ask ourselves this: If we don't have optimism in the 
investment we make in the war on terror and the spreading of democracy, 
then what dividend would we receive by making no investment at all?
  My submission to you is that we would be fighting the war on terror 
not only overseas but on our own streets. We would be spending more 
than we invested in this war to try to be a defensive country, rather 
than an offensive country helping to spread democracy wherever people 
yearn for it.
  I have great respect for those who will question any spending we 
might entertain. I understand the concerns about the investment that we 
may make in the coming weeks in the supplemental for Iraq. But I will 
tell you that with the comments of Deputy Ambassador Salih, the 
comments of Dr. al-Rubiae, and the evidence of the heroism of the Iraqi 
soldier at the polling place Sunday, a week ago, it is clear to me this 
supplemental will continue that major pillar of support for democracy 
in the Middle East; that is, the presence of U.S. men and women in our 
Armed Forces to continue to secure that nation so it can finalize a 
constitution and have permanent elections for its peace and its 
security.
  Our President has sent us a document to make an expanded investment 
in peace and democracy. I submit to you that the evidence for optimism 
abounds in Iraq and I, for one, will stand by this President and stand 
by our men and women in harm's way, so that their democracy, which has 
now bloomed, will flourish in a part of the world that has never seen 
it.
  I yield back the remainder of my time.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, as I understand, we are in a period for 
morning business?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator is correct.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Is there a time limit on statements in morning business?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The time until 12:30 p.m. is 
equally divided.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I thank the Chair.

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