[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23807]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   URGING CONGRESS TO VOTE AGAINST PAYMENT FOR RECONSTRUCTION IN IRAQ

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me associate myself with 
the words of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) to welcome the 
Immigrant Freedom Riders who will be coming to the United States 
Government to petition for equality and justice similar to the movement 
and rise made by those who fought hard in the Civil Rights movement.
  As I think about civil rights and civil justice and liberty, I cannot 
help but be so very proud of the young men and women who stand on the 
front lines in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I say to the parents and 
friends and family members who have lost those who gave the ultimate 
sacrifice, we will never forget. I also want to make mention, Mr. 
Speaker, of those who lay wounded in our hospitals without eyes, 
without limbs, and that is why I rise today to point out to the 
American people and to this Congress that it would be unpardonable, it 
would be atrocious for us to randomly vote for $87 billion that is 
being asked by this administration without first bifurcating the vote, 
voting for the troops and the resources that they need, the armor that 
they need, but yet looking to distinguish between the reckless dollars 
that they are spending in this so-called reconstruction without allies.
  I am glad the children of Iraq have bookbags. The children in 
Houston, Texas do not have any bookbags. It is time for this Congress 
to take up its responsibility and not vote for the $20 billion for 
reconstruction and support our troops.

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