[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18452]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR'S ADDRESS TO A JOINT MEETING OF CONGRESS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, let me comment briefly on Prime Minister 
Tony Blair's address to the joint meeting of Congress this afternoon. 
It is a historic time.
  This afternoon, the Senate and the House of Representatives have that 
distinct honor of welcoming British Minister Tony Blair to address this 
joint meeting of the Congress. This type of address is the highest 
honor which Congress can bestow. Prime Minister Blair will be the 
fourth sitting Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to address a joint 
session of the United States and Congress, preceded only by Winston 
Churchill, Clement Richard Atlee, and Margaret Thatcher--three of 
history's greatest leaders.
  Today's historic tribute signifies our abiding friendship and our 
deep respect not only for the Prime Minister but for the great people 
of the United Kingdom.
  Throughout the last century, the United Kingdom and the United States 
have stood shoulder to shoulder to defend the free people of the world. 
That is because our two nations share more than just history. We share 
deeply held principles of devotion to governance with the consent of 
the electorate, a devotion to justice based on the rule of law and the 
principles of due process and devotion to economic freedom based on a 
belief that every individual should be free to express his or her God-
given talents.
  Together, the United States and the United Kingdom defeated the twin 
evils of fascism and communism. Today, we stand together to defend 
democracy everywhere.
  In Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, Prime Minister Blair has led 
the way to bring freedom to the oppressed, relief to the suffering, and 
the promise of peace to those living in war-torn regions.
  In Sierra Leone, Prime Minister Blair led the effort to end a brutal 
and senseless civil war. In Kosovo and the Balkans, the Prime Minister 
rallied our two great nations to bring stability and security to that 
troubled region. In our great time of need, Prime Minister Blair has 
shown tremendous courage; he has shown tremendous resolve to defeat our 
enemies no matter how deep their caves or how fearsome their arsenal.
  In Afghanistan, the United Kingdom contributed forces to Operation 
Enduring Freedom and led the International Security Assistance Force. 
In Iraq, Prime Minister Blair worked tirelessly to build the coalition 
to free the Iraqi people from the savagery of Saddam Hussein, a man 
who--and we should never forget this--used chemical weapons to commit 
mass murder against his neighbors as well as his own people.
  Under the Prime Minister's leadership, the United Kingdom sent over 
30,000 troops--nearly a fourth of the British military--to fight 
alongside our valiant women and men.
  We are grateful for the Prime Minister and the British people for 
their strength and their resolve.
  This afternoon, on behalf of the people of the United States, we will 
pay tribute to the Prime Minister for his courage and his vision. We 
will listen to his counsel. We will reaffirm the bond between our two 
great nations, purchased not by treasure or self-interest but by 
loyalty and brave mutual sacrifice.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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