[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 75 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E969-E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

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                               speech of

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1540) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes:

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the 
Conyers, Clarke, Cohen, Duncan Amendment, opposing the deployment of 
ground troops in Libya. It is unconscionable for us to deploy our 
already strained troops into harm's way again when many of them have 
served two, three or more tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  It is also irresponsible for us to spend more money on another open-
ended military conflict without a cogent plan of action and withdrawal. 
As a Member of Congress, I cannot take part in another act of 
aggression further straining the budget we are so desperately working 
to fix and our troops who have answered above and beyond the call of 
duty.
  My constituents and I already feel that the war in Afghanistan has 
gone on long enough without a clear and sufficient exit strategy. We 
cannot partake in another fruitless war. We must shift our focus to 
getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan, stabilizing our economy and 
creating jobs for the American people. Instead let us focus on securing 
funding for small businesses rather than spending money on another 
open-end conflict.
  Madam Chair, as a representative of the 11th congressional district 
of New York, our hearts and minds go out to the people's struggle for 
freedom in Libya. And as a nation, we should continue our support for 
their quest for freedom, through NATO forces. However it is our duty as 
a Members of Congress to protect and serve our fellow Americans first. 
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join us and support this amendment.

[[Page E970]]



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