[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 83 (Friday, June 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DECLARING THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL PREVAIL IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON 
                                 TERROR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2006

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to House 
Resolution 861.
  While I reaffirm my commitment to do everything possible to support 
the men and women serving our country in Iraq, I will not dishonor them 
by supporting this sham resolution.
  This resolution is no more than a deceitful effort by the Republican 
leadership to justify an ill conceived war--a war based on faulty and 
manipulated intelligence and years of reckless and costly decisions.
  These decisions have increased threats to our national security and 
drained our treasury of valuable resources needed for critical programs 
such as education, healthcare, research and job training.
  The reality, Mr. Speaker, is that the President has lost support for 
this war as America has become increasingly aware of the 
Administration's deception and lack of a clear plan for success. A plan 
such as the one outlined in Congressman Murtha's resolution would 
protect our troops and bring them home as safely and as quickly 
possible.
  The resolution before this House is nothing more than a ploy to 
regain support and political advantage by once again blurring the lines 
between the devastating 9/11 attacks and the ongoing war in Iraq. This 
connection has repeatedly been discredited.
  In the aftermath of 9/11, the United States justifiably invaded 
Afghanistan in pursuit of Osama Bin Laden, who is the man we know was 
responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
  U.S. intelligence sources tell us we were close to capturing him, but 
then the President redirected our troops and resources to invade Iraq.
  As a consequence of the President's decision, the terrorist 
responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans is still free, 
Iraq has in fact become a breeding ground for terrorists, and the 
invasion has inflamed hatred towards our country and has jeopardized 
our ability to quickly form a strong international coalition to fight 
terrorism abroad and protect us at home.
  If the Republican leadership were sincere about honoring our troops, 
they would have provided them with the full equipment they are still 
lacking, and they would not for example, have passed a budget with a $6 
billion cut to Veterans Healthcare, or rejected Democratic amendments 
to increase badly needed funding in the Military Quality of Life 
appropriations bill.
  Mr. Speaker, sending our troops into Iraq ill equipped, with no plan 
for success, and no exit strategy was a shameful mistake.
  For the Republican leadership to play politics with this resolution 
and mask true support for our troops with mere words and rhetoric is 
disgraceful.
  I, like every American, support our troops and honor their 
patriotism.
  Their heroism and resolve to fight for our country, despite the 
deplorable circumstance under which they were sent to Iraq, heightens 
my pride in their service and strengthens my resolve to bring them home 
quickly and safely.
  I will not dishonor them by supporting this Republican charade.

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