[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H34]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OUT OF AFGHANISTAN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Jones) for 5 minutes.
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.
During the Christmas break, I wrote a letter to President Obama
expressing outrage over the fact that Afghan President Karzai again
snubbed our country and our men and women in uniform by signing an oil
contract with China. How much more do the American people have to
sacrifice with their young men and women? How many more young men and
women have to walk the countryside of Afghanistan and have a leg or arm
blown off, or killed, so Mr. Karzai can continue to say to Uncle Sam:
We don't need you, but you've got to stay here so I can cut all these
deals with these foreign countries.
In a December 8, 2010, Washington Post article, while meeting with
General Petraeus and former Ambassador Eikenberry, President Karzai
said: I have three main enemies--the Taliban, the United States, and
the international community. Karzai further stated: If I had to choose
sides today, I'd choose the Taliban.
Yes, young men and women in uniform, thank you for what you're doing;
but it's time to bring you home.
In a November 14, 2010, interview with the Washington Post, Karzai
said that he wanted American troops off the roads and out of Afghan
homes and that the long-term presence of so many foreign soldiers would
only worsen the war.
Very seldom do I say: Thank you, Mr. Karzai, you're exactly right.
March 12, 2011, New York Times: ``I request that NATO and American
soldiers should stop these operations on our soil. This war is not on
our soil. If this war is against terror, then this war is not here.
Terror is not here.'' Mr. Karzai, president of Afghanistan.
In October of 2011 during a television interview, President Karzai
stated: `` If ever there is a war between Pakistan and America,
Afghanistan will side with the Pakistanis.''
Why are we still there spending $10 billion a month and saying to the
American people: We're going to cut your school programs; we're going
to cut your bridge programs; we're going to cut your road programs?
American people, we don't have the money, but somehow, we have $10
billion a month to send to Mr. Karzai.
This little boy beside me is named Tyler Jordan. In 2003, his father,
Gunny Sergeant Phillip Jordan, was killed in Iraq. I've spoken to his
mom, Amanda. She lives in Connecticut. I've asked her about Tyler. I've
had this picture since 2003. She says he still misses his daddy. He
will always miss his father.
Bin Laden is dead. Al Qaeda has been dispersed all over the world. I
hope the American people will call their Members of Congress in both
parties and say: Get our troops out of Afghanistan. Do not wait until
2014, 2015. I don't know how many more will have to die for a corrupt
leader named Karzai.
We have won. Bin Laden is dead. We have won. Declare victory and
bring them home.
God, continue to bless our men and women in uniform. Bless the
families who've given a child dying for freedom in Afghanistan and
Iraq. And God, please continue to bless America. We're in great need of
Your guidance, dear God. God bless America.
____________________