[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27119]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE AND FOR THE 
              RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3289) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for defense and for the 
     reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2004, and for other purposes:

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I will reluctantly support this Iraq 
Supplemental Appropriations bill conference report for our troops and 
their families.
  I will support this bill because we must support our troops and we 
must continue to engage the effort in Iraq to its successful 
conclusion. I have the honor of representing the Army's Fort Bragg, 
Pope Air Force Base and many Guard and Reserve units in North Carolina. 
Many of them are serving in Iraq while their families here at home pray 
for their safety and speedy return. This bill increases funds to 
purchase body armor for our troops and to contract for the clearing of 
unexploded ordnance. The bill provides funding for the contracting of 
security guards to replace reservists currently performing these 
duties. The Army has indicated this provision would permit the 
demobilization of 7,000 to 10,000 reserve component soldiers. The bill 
also includes a provision to continue the increased monthly rate of 
hazardous duty pay and Family Separation Allowances through September 
30, 2004. These provisions are very important to the military families 
in my district because they have a very real impact in relieving some 
of their financial burden. I am proud my Democratic colleagues in the 
House and I have successfully led the fight to secure these needed 
funds.
  I have serious reservations about this vote because despite the 
brilliant and valiant action of our soldiers to defeat the evil regime 
of Saddam Hussein, this administration has failed to implement an 
adequate plan to win the peace. This Administration has failed to level 
with the American people and the Congress about the true costs and 
duration of the ongoing war in Iraq. The American people and their 
Representatives in Congress deserve true and honest presentation of the 
facts, especially on such weighty matters of war and peace. Before the 
Administration comes back to Congress with another request for more 
funds, I want to see an honest assessment of the duration and costs of 
the operations in Iraq and a realistic plan for a lasting peace in that 
troubled region of the world.
  In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I would prefer that the House could act 
on amendments to address this conference report's shortcomings, but we 
were not given that option. Despite my reservations, I will support 
this bill because it is the best option we have before us to win the 
peace in Iraq. I will support this bill on behalf of the people of 
North Carolina's Second Congressional District and the men and women in 
our armed forces.

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