[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 149 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

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                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
the tenth anniversary of the war with Afghanistan. For ten years our 
country, and the brave men and women who fight for us on the 
battlefield, have been mired in a seemingly unwinnable war in 
Afghanistan, a war that has resulted in tens of thousands of 
casualties, and the death of 1,723 American service members. More and 
more Americans are expressing a desire to end the war in Afghanistan. 
Recent polls have shown that 73% of Americans want to withdraw troops, 
and 66% of all veterans believe the war is not worth its cost. There is 
no better time than now, on the 10th anniversary of this war, to 
reevaluate the continued conflict, and to commit to bringing our troops 
home.
  It is irresponsible to continue to spend over one hundred billion 
dollars a year on a war that Americans support less and less each day, 
especially as our country tries to fight its way out of the worst 
economic recession of our lifetimes. This is money that is desperately 
needed domestically, and would be better spent on fixing our 
deteriorating infrastructure and fixing our education system.
  Our mission after September 11th 2001 was to dismantle the 
infrastructure of al-Qaeda and to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, and 
there is no denying that the current administration and our courageous 
men and women serving overseas have accomplished these goals. It is 
time to bring our troops home, reinvest in our nation, and let the 
Afghani people take responsibility for securing their own nation.
  I believe the time to withdraw from Afghanistan is now, which is why 
I joined my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in support of H.R. 
651, the United States-Afghanistan Status of Forces Agreement Act of 
2011 which would establish a redeployment date for U.S. troops. I will 
continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, the President, and 
commanders in our Armed Forces to press for a speedier end to this war. 
I yield back the balance of my time.

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