[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT AND APPRECIATION FOR THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF 
       THE ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATING IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MELVIN L. WATT

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. WATT. Mr. Speaker, some may think that my vote of ``present'' on 
this Resolution is a cowardly way out. In fact, a vote of ``present'' 
seems to me to be the only reasonable and logical vote to cast for the 
following reasons: I dare not vote ``no'' and express opposition to the 
two parts of the Resolution I so strongly support. Those two parts of 
the Resolution put Congress on record to express the ``unequivocal 
support and appreciation of the Nation to the members of the United 
States Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are 
carrying out their missions with excellence, patriotism, and bravery; 
and to the families of the United States military personnel serving in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are providing support and prayers for 
their loved ones currently engaged in military operations in Iraq.'' If 
the Resolution limited itself to these two parts, the Resolution would 
no doubt enjoy the unanimous support of the Congress.
  On the other hand, I cannot in good conscience vote ``yes'' for the 
part of the Resolution that ``expresses the unequivocal support and 
appreciation of the Nation to the President as Commander-in-Chief for 
his firm leadership and decisive action in the conduct of military 
operations in Iraq as part of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.'' I 
have previously stated that I do not support the President's decision 
to pursue this war without having exhausted every possible alternative 
short of war. I have also expressed my firm belief that pursuing war to 
enforce a United Nations Resolution without having even majority 
support of the members of the United Nations and the UN Security 
Council will undoubtedly feed the perception of U.S. arrogance around 
the world and increase the prospect of terrorism domestically and 
internationally. While our military superiority will no doubt assure 
our military victory in the war against Iraq, we have no effective way 
to defend ourselves and innocent people against individual acts of 
terror. For me to express ``unequivocal support'' for the President to 
follow a course of action I believe is misguided would be both contrary 
to my own beliefs and contrary to the overwhelming sentiments I have 
heard and continue to hear from my constituents on a daily basis.
  I applaud the efforts of those who sought to craft a Resolution 
supporting our troops and their families. I am in full support of their 
efforts and those parts of this Resolution. While 1 do not agree with 
them, I also respect the opinions of those who believe, in good faith, 
that the President's actions deserve ``unequivocal support.'' I 
resoundingly reject the efforts of those who would use this resolution 
as a means of dividing Congress at this critically important time, 
especially those who would do so for political reasons or to make 
themselves appear more patriotic than those who intend to vote ``no.'' 
I do not feel obliged to be put to such a choice on a Resolution that 
has no substantive or binding effect. Consequently, having made this 
explanation, I am content to vote ``present.''

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