[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18416-18417]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRESS SHOULD SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE 
  BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S DISTORTION OF EVIDENCE OF IRAQ'S WMD PROGRAMS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, a grass-roots organization called 
moveon.org has an online petition right now seeking an independent 
commission to investigate the Bush administration. I will read it. 
``Congress should support an independent commission to investigate the 
Bush administration's distorting of evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass 
destruction program.''
  They are supporting H.R. 2625, a bill sponsored by the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Waxman), that would create an independent commission 
that would look into the intelligence that led up to certain 
representations that the Bush administration has made.
  People want answers to questions. So what we are doing for the next 
several nights, some of us, is reading some of these letters and 
comments that have come as a result of this on-line petition.
  These are the ones that have come from Illinois. Out of 320,000 
people who signed the petition, there were thousands of comments. These 
are the ones from Illinois, and I would like to read just a few of 
them.
  I think my colleagues will find that what these letters do is 
question the intelligence that was provided, or question the 
representations that were made, but do not question the integrity. I 
think my colleagues will agree with that.
  I am reading now. ``My son is a reservist who has been called into 
active duty on account of the war on Iraq. This is the second time 
since 9/11 that he has had to put aside his college studies and go on 
the front line to serve our country. Considering his sacrifice alone, 
he and I need to know the truth about why he assisted in the war 
effort.'' That is from Patricia from Woodridge, Illinois.
  ``Two of my sons are in the military. They told me, ``Mom, we have to 
do what we are commanded. It is your responsibility to help make sure 
we are only asked to do what is morally and ethically right.' That is 
why I urge Congress to thoroughly investigate the events leading to the 
war in Iraq.'' That is from Marge in DeKalb, Illinois.
  ``Two of my best friends are sergeants in the U.S. Army. They signed 
up and put their lives on the line to protect and defend our country 
for people like me. We owe it to them to make sure that when we ask 
them to put their lives in danger the reasons are just, valid, and 
truthful. I cannot imagine how the families of the servicemen and women 
who died in Iraq must feel now, knowing that, perhaps, their sons, 
daughters, spouses, moms and dads died not because they were defending 
us against a true threat but because of political or financial reasons. 
Let us investigate this fully and give our service members the dignity 
they deserve,'' says Jennifer from Chicago.
  ``As the mother and mother-in-law of a son and son-in-law sent to 
Iraq to risk their lives, it is important to me that an independent 
commission investigate our actions in Iraq and the reasons presented 
for doing so. We may be the most powerful Nation the world has ever 
known, but we have acted like cowards and weaklings. We have an 
obligation to be an uplifting role model to other nations. Instead, 
this government has chosen to reiterate the bully

[[Page 18417]]

mentality. We raise our children to find positive ways to resolve 
disagreements and conflicts. Why? This government says that being the 
biggest and toughest guys gives you the right to stomp on whoever you 
want. Who will our children listen to?'' From Marlena in Chicago.
  ``My father is a veteran,'' says Trisha from McHenry Illinois, ``like 
his brother, his father, and his uncles. My mother's brothers are 
veterans, like their uncles. While many prominent members of this 
administration can claim no legitimate military service, it is terrible 
to think that they may have sent our men and women to Iraq for false 
reasons and that you would let them get away with it. Our servicemen 
and women are risking their lives for us, and it is our duty to make 
sure it is not for reasons other than what this administration has led 
us to believe. Your duty in this matter is not to your political party. 
Your duty is to the American people and to the Armed Forces who serve 
this country. An independent, bipartisan commission is warranted in 
this matter.''
  And Trisha adds, ``Also, if you are going to keep passing resolutions 
supporting our Armed Forces, please stop cutting their benefits, give 
them a raise, and be nicer to veterans.''
  ``My brother is a member of the Illinois National Guard,'' says Penny 
from Freeport, ``and is currently serving our country in Iraq. I fear 
that he is risking his life under false pretenses. It is not only our 
right but our responsibility as American citizens to hold someone 
liable and seek the truth. We need to establish an investigative 
commission as soon as possible.''

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