[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 165 (Monday, December 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VICTORY IN IRAQ RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 612 and 
to congratulate parliamentary election.
  The citizens of Iraq who desire peace and a prosperous future have 
demonstrated their commitment to those goals by participating in three 
national Iraqi elections. Reports indicate that Iraqis turned out in 
unprecedented numbers to vote in yesterday's election. I congratulate 
them for braving the instability and violence on the streets of Iraq in 
order to cast their votes.
  Today, instead of offering a resolution to express our 
congratulations and hopes for a democratic Iraq, the Republican 
leadership has chosen to play politics, offering a divisive resolution. 
H. Res. 612 does nothing more than reiterate President Bush's failed 
strategy for Iraq. While all of us support democracy in Iraq, the 
Republican leadership has rolled over democratic procedures on the 
House floor, denying Democrats an opportunity to amend this resolution.
  In addition, rather than laying out an exit strategy, as was done by 
Congressman Jack Murtha almost one month ago, the Republican leadership 
continues to ignore the growing chaos and violence facing our soldiers. 
The Majority refuses to even debate this critical issue. Staying the 
course is a recipe for disaster that endangers our troops and the Iraqi 
people.
  The withdrawal of American troops should begin now. The new Iraqi 
government has been formed, and it must take responsibility for forging 
its own path toward stability and democracy. In polls, the Iraqi people 
have been clear: they do not believe coalition troops are providing 
stability and security, and they believe it is time for our troops to 
come home. The U.S. should provide diplomatic and financial support to 
an international effort to help the Iraqi government provide security 
and consolidate democracy.
  I have been contacted by many of my constituents who understand that 
H. Res. 612 is nothing more than a political stunt. The Republican 
Congress is no longer fooling the American people. In overwhelming 
numbers, they think it was a mistake to go to war in Iraq; they think 
the Bush Administration mishandled the war; and they don't support this 
war. Our troops remain far from home, endangered by a growing 
insurgency. Now that Iraq has a democratically-elected government, it 
is time for our troops to come home in order to spend the holidays with 
the ones they love.

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