[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13975-13983]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ ON ITS FORTHCOMING 
               ASSUMPTION OF SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY IN IRAQ

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the previous order of the House, 
and as the designee of the majority leader, I call up the resolution 
(H. Res. 691) congratulating the Interim Government of Iraq on its 
forthcoming assumption of sovereign authority in Iraq, and ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of H. Res. 691 is as follows:

                              H. Res. 691

       Whereas in April 2003, the United States Armed Forces and 
     other Coalition forces liberated the people of Iraq from the 
     dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein;
       Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 
     (May 22, 2003) and the laws and usages of war authorized the 
     Coalition Provisional Authority to govern Iraq on a temporary 
     basis;
       Whereas the Coalition Provisional Authority established an 
     Iraqi Governing Council, broadly representative of the major 
     geographic, ethnic, and religious groupings of Iraq, as well 
     as a Cabinet, to assist in the governing of Iraq, and the 
     Council was recognized by many members of the international 
     community as a legitimate voice of the Iraqi people;
       Whereas the United States and other Coalition members, in 
     response to the desire of the Iraqi people for early self-
     government, worked with the Iraqi Governing Council to 
     accelerate the transfer of power to the Iraqi people, with 
     sovereignty to be transferred no later than the end of June 
     2004;
       Whereas the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi 
     Governing Council on March 8, 2004, agreed upon a Law of 
     Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional 
     Period that strongly protects the civil and political rights 
     of Iraqis;
       Whereas that Law and its Annex provide for a transition of 
     power to an Iraqi Interim Government, for elections by the 
     end of January 2005, for a Transitional National Assembly, 
     which shall form an Iraqi Transitional Government and provide 
     for the drafting and adoption of a permanent constitution, 
     and, by the end of 2005, for a government chosen under the 
     new constitution;
       Whereas the Iraqi people have begun electing local 
     officials in parts of Iraq under Coalition auspices and will 
     have the opportunity to express their will in free and 
     meaningful national elections for the first time in Iraq's 
     history;
       Whereas the United Nations Secretary General appointed a 
     Special Adviser to conduct political consultations aimed at 
     putting in place an Interim Government to assume sovereignty 
     over Iraq;
       Whereas the Iraqi Governing Council made recommendations 
     about the composition of the Interim Government, after which, 
     when the recommendations were accepted by the Coalition 
     Provisional Authority, the Council dissolved itself;
       Whereas on June 8, 2004, the United Nations Security 
     Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1546, welcoming the 
     formation and forthcoming ``assumption of full responsibility 
     and authority by a fully sovereign and independent Interim 
     Government of Iraq'' and authorizing the multinational force 
     under unified command to continue its activities;
       Whereas the Coalition Provisional Authority will dissolve 
     at the end of June 2004 and will not be replaced;
       Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces, a total 
     force consisting of active, reserve, and National Guard 
     personnel, have performed their mission with great skill and 
     courage, in the process being awarded at least 18 
     Distinguished Service Crosses, 6 Distinguished Flying 
     Crosses, 133 Silver Stars, 16,551 Bronze Stars, and 4,161 
     Purple Hearts;
       Whereas, as of June 23, 2004, 833 members of the United 
     States Armed Forces, approximately 100 members of the 
     Coalition forces, and many members of the Iraqi security 
     services, have given their lives to advance the cause of 
     liberty in Iraq, and thousands of members of the United 
     States Armed Forces and Coalition forces, and many members of 
     the Iraqi security services, have suffered wounds for that 
     cause;
       Whereas the families of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, 
     Marines, and Coast Guardsmen have made and continue to make 
     enormous sacrifices for their country;
       Whereas in addition, Coalition forces, civilians employed 
     by or assisting the Coalition Provisional Authority, the 
     Iraqi government and its employees, international 
     organizations, and American and other international 
     volunteers, as well as large numbers of Iraqis, have made and 
     continue to make enormous efforts to reconstruct the country 
     and improve the lives of the Iraqi people;
       Whereas Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, III, Presidential Envoy 
     to Iraq and Administrator of the Coalition Provisional 
     Authority, has ably advanced the international coalition's 
     goals in Iraq of transforming Iraq into a safe, secure, 
     stable, sovereign, democratic state that serves the interests 
     of the Iraqi people;
       Whereas the United States will be represented in Iraq by an 
     Embassy led by Ambassador John D. Negroponte, and the United 
     States will deal with the Government of Iraq on the basis of 
     the sovereign equality of states under international law, 
     including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to 
     which both the United States and Iraq are parties;
       Whereas after June 30, 2004, the Interim Government of Iraq 
     and its successors, and United States Armed Forces and 
     Coalition forces, will cooperate to meet ongoing security 
     challenges and to extend security and stability to all 
     regions of Iraq; and
       Whereas the United States has never desired to exercise 
     permanent sovereignty over Iraq and welcomes the formation of 
     the Iraqi Interim Government and its imminent assumption of 
     authority: Now, therefore, be it--
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Interim Government of Iraq on its 
     forthcoming assumption of sovereign authority in Iraq;
       (2) offers its continued support to the people and 
     government of Iraq as they deal with the consequences of 
     decades of misrule by the former regime of Saddam Hussein;
       (3) expresses its gratitude to the United States Armed 
     Forces for their ongoing valiant service to their country and 
     commitment to the highest ideals and traditions of the 
     American people;
       (4) expresses its gratitude to the families of United 
     States Armed Forces personnel, especially the families of 
     those who have lost loved ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
     of those wounded in the service of their country, for their 
     sacrifices;
       (5) expresses its condolences to the families of the 
     innocent Iraqis who have been killed or wounded during the 
     conflict, including those who were victimized by the illegal 
     and terrorist tactics of the enemy, and despite the concerted 
     efforts by the Coalition forces to minimize civilian 
     casualties;
       (6) expresses its gratitude to the Coalition forces, the 
     Coalition Provisional Authority, the Iraqi Governing Council, 
     the current Iraqi cabinet and government officials, and the 
     many international bodies and voluntary organizations which 
     have come to the aid of the people of Iraq in an effort to 
     help them address the consequences of decades of misrule by 
     the former regime of Saddam Hussein, as well as to the 
     families of those mentioned in this paragraph, who have been 
     lost in Iraq;
       (7) offers its continued support to the United States Armed 
     Forces, civilians associated with the United States 
     Government, Coalition forces, and Iraqi security forces who 
     continue to bear the burden of attacks from former regime 
     elements, foreign and Iraqi terrorists, and other criminals 
     who are attempting to undermine the interests of the Iraqi 
     people and thwart their evident desire to live in peace;
       (8) calls on the entire international community to promote 
     the welfare of the Iraqi people by rendering, in addition to 
     the generous assistance provided by the American people and, 
     in varying degrees, by some nations, immediate, tangible, and 
     generous assistance to the Iraqi people in the reconstruction 
     of their nation, including, in response to requests from the 
     Iraqi government coordinated with the command of the 
     multinational forces, forces capable of assisting in the 
     provision of security to the Iraqi people;
       (9) reaffirms--
       (A) that the United States Armed Forces operating in Iraq 
     after June 30, 2004, will remain under the full authority, 
     direction, and control of their American commanders; and
       (B) the need to ensure that such Armed Forces will possess 
     all necessary authority to fulfill their mission effectively 
     and to provide for their operational safety; and

[[Page 13976]]

       (10) urges the people of the United States and of other 
     countries to celebrate the restoration of freedom to the 
     people of Iraq through the efforts of the peoples of the 
     United States, the Coalition, and Iraq.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
Wednesday, June 24, 2004, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each will control 30 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed chairman for 
yielding me time.

                              {time}  1445

  I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  On June 30, as all of us know, Iraq will assume control of its own 
destiny. Iraq will enter the post-Saddam era with the hope of the world 
resting upon them. No longer will the Iraqi people be subjected to a 
climate of fear and desperation. Saddam's murderous, thieving cronies 
have been removed. Uday and Qusay's henchmen likewise will no longer be 
free to roam the streets, terrorizing people.
  The challenge now for the Iraqi people and their new government is to 
set their future on a course of open thought, popular choice for their 
leaders, and freedom of action in which to conduct their lives.
  The Iraqi people understand that with this new-found freedom comes 
responsibility, a responsibility to remember the interests of all 
Iraqis. Each and every Iraqi has a stake in that Nation's future, and 
now, with our transfer of sovereignty to them, that stake can be fully 
realized.
  We are honored to have played a role in empowering the Iraqi people 
and supporting them in their efforts to rebuild their country after 
decades of corruption and oppression. They have the opportunity to make 
their Nation a shining light for all to see, not only in the Middle 
East, but around the world. A nation filled with talent beyond 
imagination, Iraq can create a climate of freedom and opportunities for 
others to emulate.
  Yes, problems have arisen. Yet, we must acknowledge the positive 
developments that could not have happened without the brave men and 
women of the United States military and our allies. Through their 
courage, commitment, and sacrifice, we have managed to free an enslaved 
people. We have brought down a tyrant who has killed as many as 1 
million of his own people. Thus, history will record that the United 
States brought a beacon of light and hope to a people that had only 
known misery, suffering, and brutality under Saddam Hussein.
  The future will judge us to have done right by the Iraqi people, and 
for our own Nation as well.
  We are, however, not naive about the challenges that lie ahead. 
Freedom and democracy take time and hard work. They take vigilance and 
dedication, dedication to truth and commitment to justice. These are 
things that come with patience.
  The terrorists want to deprive the Iraqi people of their future, but 
Iraq can and will prevail. Iraq's chance is now. Let us stand by the 
Iraqi people as they struggle to enjoy these rights and liberties that 
they were denied for so very long. Let us be motivated by the knowledge 
that we have helped make the world a better place for the Iraqi people 
and for all.
  As our beloved former President Ronald Wilson Reagan would say, ``You 
and I have a rendezvous with destiny. If we fail, at least let our 
children and our children's children say of us, we justified our brief 
moment here. We did all that could be done,'' and that we have done for 
the Iraqi people.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of H. Res. 691.
  On June 30, a momentous date in the history of Iraq, after 45 years 
of dictatorship and one year of occupation, a sovereign government 
representative of the Iraqi people is about to assume power in Baghdad. 
We take justifiable pride in the U.S. role in achieving that milestone, 
and we pay tribute to our soldiers who have achieved this incredible 
feat.
  But there is no fooling ourselves, Mr. Speaker. The Iraq that Prime 
Minister Iyad al-Alawi and his colleagues will inherit is far from 
stable and it is far from prosperous, nor is it ready to assume full 
responsibility for its Nation's security. For the United States, the 
challenges of ensuring security, promoting reconstruction, and 
fostering liberal and decent governance will continue essentially 
unchanged for now. Whether we and the Iraqis look back at June 30, 2004 
as an historic turning point for the good will be determined by our 
joint ability to meet those ongoing and gigantic challenges.
  Mr. Speaker, developments on our home front encourage the hope that 
we can meet those challenges, as the positions on Iraq taken by leaders 
of both of our parties are fundamentally congruent. The administration 
has shown signs that it is willing to alter the course when necessary 
in order to get the job done. I am pleased that the President embraced 
the wisdom of acknowledging a major role for the United Nations. As a 
result of the United Nations unanimously-adopted resolution, the soon-
to-be sovereign Iraqi government will have far greater domestic and 
international legitimacy than otherwise it would have.
  I think it is important to underscore that the likely nominee of the 
Democratic Party for president, Senator Kerry, shares the basic vision, 
and I quote: ``While we may have differed on how we went to war, 
Americans of all political persuasions are united in our determination 
to succeed. The extremists attacking our forces should know that they 
will not succeed in dividing America, or in sapping American resolve, 
or in forcing the premature withdrawal of U.S. troops. Our country is 
committed to help the Iraqis build a stable, peaceful, and pluralistic 
society.''
  The most important line in my quotation from Senator Kerry is as 
follows: ``No matter who is elected President in November, we will 
persevere in that mission.''
  Mr. Speaker, success in Iraq is a bipartisan, national interest. Not 
only is the credibility of the United States at stake in the region and 
around the globe, but an Iraq collapsing into chaos would be a heart of 
darkness in the Middle East.
  Mr. Speaker, Senator Kerry and President Bush are also on the same 
page in calling on our NATO allies to show solidarity by reinforcing 
our efforts in Iraq. Even though NATO nations may not have many 
deployable troops to spare, there is nevertheless much that they can do 
to. And the opportunity for NATO to make these important decisions in 
the highest-profile manner possible will present itself next week at 
the NATO summit in Istanbul.
  As the NATO Secretary General said, we have a Security Council 
resolution, a fully legitimate interim government in Iraq; NATO has no 
excuse to slam the door in Iraq's face.
  NATO States can and must provide training for the new Iraqi Army, and 
they should do so in Iraq itself without requiring Iraqi troops to go 
to a third country as some are suggesting.
  One of the most brilliant of our military leaders, General David 
Petraeus, is leading the U.S. effort to train Iraqi forces, and his 
presence in that role should give all of us confidence in our ultimate 
success. But building a fighting force capable of defeating Iraq's 
fundamentalists and Saddamist thugs is a mammoth undertaking. NATO 
nations are ideally positioned to support the efforts of General 
Petraeus.
  NATO troops can provide election security to support the all-
important Iraqi elections in January. If Iraq is to hold its first free 
and democratic elections in its history, security is paramount.
  Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. The European members of NATO, all of 
them, should not contribute to Iraq's security as a favor to us, even 
though the peace and prosperity that reigns in Europe today was won 
with American blood and American treasure. They should do it as a favor 
to themselves but, most

[[Page 13977]]

importantly, to the Iraqi people. Europe's stake in the stability of 
Iraq and the Middle East is greater than our own. Europe borders the 
Middle East and is far more dependent on its energy resources than are 
we here in the United States.
  Europe's moral credibility is also at stake in Iraq. For years, the 
States of the European Union, most of whom belong to NATO, have 
trumpeted their commitment to democracy. Now it is time for them to 
prove that this is more than rhetoric. When Iraqi President al-Yawar 
was in town recently, he told a group of us that the presence of 
European troops is crucial to Iraq. He emphasized that Iraq needs 
security forces from law-abiding societies where human rights are 
valuable to the people.
  Mr. Speaker, Iraq is undertaking history's boldest experiment in 
trying to build a more free and open society. If Europe is not with us, 
its message to the Iraqi people and to the world is that it just does 
not care about democratic developments outside its borders.
  I call on President Chirac and Chancellor Schroeder and other 
reluctant NATO leaders to stand up at the Istanbul summit and be 
counted on behalf of the Iraqi people and democratic values.
  Mr. Speaker, we already have many fine allies, NATO and nonNATO 
alike, in our coalition in Iraq. Tony Blair's United Kingdom has shown 
extraordinary courage and leadership. South Korea's determination was 
tested by tragedy just this week, and it proved itself a model of 
resolve. These nations are doing work from which all of Europe will 
benefit, and they too deserve Europe's, and that means NATO's, backing 
and help.
  As the loyal opposition, we Democrats will continue to call this 
administration to account for its errors in Iraq. We will continue to 
offer constructive advice, as our duty demands, particularly from our 
position of oversight authority in the legislative branch. But all of 
us, Democrats and Republicans alike, are united in our commitment to 
achieving success in giving rise to a durable, pluralistic, more open 
and free society in Iraq.
  It is not merely a simple matter of restoring sovereignty. George 
Bernard Shaw observed, ``Liberty means responsibility. That is why most 
men dread it.'' The new stewards of the sovereign Iraq will prove that 
they are up to the task. As they do, we want them to know that we will 
stand by them.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution, and I urge all of my 
colleagues to do so.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we live indeed in a very historic moment in history, and 
our world is engulfed in conflict of a very new and terrible kind. But 
it is remarkably consoling to come together today in unity, and we are 
certainly in bipartisan unity, on a resolution taking note of some very 
important accomplishments in the quest for freedom in the near east.
  This resolution is cosponsored by the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) as the ranking Democrat on the Committee on International 
Relations; the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the chairman of 
the Committee on Armed Services; the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton), the ranking Democrat on that committee, as well as myself.

                              {time}  1500

  And that sponsorship should indicate the fact that there is agreement 
on the very important points made in this resolution. There is a new 
sovereign interim Iraqi government that is assuming power. Provincial 
governments are governing, courts are dispensing justice, political 
parties are forming, civil society is emerging, and independent media 
is operating, and preparations are being made for nationwide elections.
  The interim Constitution states that Iraq's system of government will 
be republican, federal, democratic, and pluralistic and that federalism 
will be based on geography, history, and the separation of powers, not 
on ethnicity or sect.
  On July 1, a new day will dawn on Iraq's future. Iraq will no longer 
be about the United States and its occupying role. Rather, it will be 
about the new self-governing Iraq and the decisions Iraq's leaders will 
be making in order to further the democratic ideals and principles.
  This resolution, as I say, is bipartisan. It congratulates the 
interim government of Iraq on its forthcoming assumption of sovereign 
authority. It expresses its gratitude to the United States Armed Forces 
on their valiant service to their country, expresses its gratitude to 
the families of United States Armed Forces personnel, especially 
families of those who have lost loved ones. It expresses its 
condolences to the families of the innocent Iraqis who have been killed 
or wounded. It expresses gratitude to the coalition forces, the 
Coalition Provisional Authority, the Iraqi Governing Council, the 
current Iraqi cabinet government officials, and the many international 
bodies and voluntary organizations which have come to the aid of the 
people of Iraq.
  It offers continued support to the U.S. Armed Forces, civilians 
associated with the U.S. Government, coalition forces, Iraqi security 
forces, and all of the people who are collaborating and making Iraq a 
new and democratic state.
  So this is something that I cannot imagine anybody not being proud to 
vote for. And I look forward to an affirmative vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, before recognizing our next speaker, I want 
to pay tribute to the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) for his 
leadership on this resolution and on this entire issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank our chairman, the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), and our ranking member, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos), for their leadership on the Committee on 
International Relations, a committee on which I am proud to serve, and 
for their consistent efforts to ensure that there is bipartisanship in 
this body and our committee.
  Let me just say to them today that I respectfully rise to disagree 
with them on this issue. This resolution does, however, express 
condolences to the families of the dead soldiers and innocent Iraqis 
who have been killed in Iraq. Today, unfortunately, many more lives 
were lost. My thoughts and my prayers go out to these families and the 
families of all of those who have been wounded in this unnecessary war.
  As a daughter of a career military officer, I know what it means to 
support our troops, and I do. However, this resolution paints a totally 
false picture of the situation in Iraq, the fact that it ignores the 
blamelessness of the President's claims that led us into this unjust 
war, and that it endorses a failed Bush policy in Iraq.
  As an example of what I mean, let me just draw my colleagues' 
attention to page 4, the third paragraph down which says, ``Paul 
Bremer, the administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, has 
ably advanced the international coalition's goals in Iraq of 
transforming Iraq into a safe, secure, stable, sovereign, democratic 
state that serves the interests of the Iraqi people.''
  This resolution also commits our troops to an indefinite period of 
time in Iraq.
  Mr. Speaker, this undue praise flies in the face of reality on the 
ground. Again, as I said earlier, just today it is reported that 92 
people have lost their lives including three United States soldiers and 
more than 320 people wounded.
  Moreover, this resolution completely ignores the false basis for the 
war and its cost. It also leaves out the fact that we were misled 
regarding the weapons of mass destruction and the alleged cooperation 
between al Qaeda and Iraq as it relates to 9/11. It makes it sound as 
if the occupation and the aftermath of this unjust war is a success.

[[Page 13978]]

  Again, that ignores reality. We had choices; we had options. I 
offered an amendment that would authorize the United Nations to 
continue with this inspection process. Unfortunately, that failed. Now 
we have a resolution that celebrates the war. I respectfully disagree, 
and I must vote against it.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on 
Armed Services, the cosponsor of the bill.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for 
their wonderful bipartisan effort in putting this together and also my 
great colleague from the Committee on Armed Services, my partner, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), for his work and contribution.
  I will be very brief, but there are two messages in this resolution. 
I think it is appropriate that this resolution follows the funding of 
our Defense bills and our Intelligence bills because those are the 
bills that give our forces the tools to get the job done.
  I think we have done an excellent job in putting together bills that 
give the force protection, the surveillance capability, the extra 
troops that are going to be needed over the next several years, and the 
funding for those troops, and particularly that $25 billion bolt-on 
that we did on the Defense authorization bill and the Defense 
appropriations bill.
  So it is appropriate that this resolution, this message to the people 
of Iraq and the people of the United States, follow those funding bills 
because this is a very important message that the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and 
the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and many others are sending.
  The message to the American people can be found in this resolution 
that the command of American forces will remain with American 
commanders. That is very important to moms and dads and people who care 
about our uniformed people, that that chain of command will remain 
firmly in place, that we will continue to pursue our mission against 
terrorists, and that operation will be overseen and supervised by U.S. 
leaders. That is a very important message.
  But to the Iraqi people there is also a message, and the message is 
that we are giving them a running start. We are handing over a country 
divested now of the leadership of Saddam Hussein. We are handing over 
to them a chance to maintain freedom in a very, very difficult part of 
the world. We are going to provide for them this military shield just 
as we have in other countries around the world as they stand up this 
free government.
  But I think it is important for the Iraqi people to understand that 
too, and I think they do understand it, that this enduring, the 
endurance of this government in a very difficult neighborhood is going 
to require some real grit on the part of the Iraqi people and that no 
country, not our country, not any country, is guaranteed perpetual 
freedom.
  We are giving them a running start. We have given them the sacrifice 
of many brave Americans and the continued sacrifice right through this 
day in terms of Americans KIA, killed in action, and wounded in action, 
as well as coalition partners, as well as many Iraqis. But they are 
going to have to take hold, and they are going to have to be able to 
lift that weight.
  I hope that under the good leadership that is now forming, that is 
taking over on the 30th of this month, they are going to be able to 
make that transition. This is only when the Americans were in Iraq, one 
thing that can be said from the dawn of time until the end of time, 
only when the American came to Iraq did they have a chance to have a 
free and fair government. We are giving them this chance.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the distinguished ranking member 
of the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to follow my 
friend from California (Mr. Hunter) in supporting this resolution. And 
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman 
from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) for cosponsoring this, and I am a 
cosponsor along with you.
  June 30 should be a proud day for the Iraqi people, but one for which 
they are continuing to pay a heavy price. Today's coordinated bloody 
attacks demonstrate how much of a challenge they still face.
  We congratulate the interim Iraqi government on the upcoming 
assumption of sovereignty. This is a great step, a real step toward a 
permanent government elected by the Iraqi people. I sincerely hope it 
works. Lasting peace and political progress will only come when Iraq is 
secure. This will remain an ongoing partnership between American forces 
and Iraqis for a long time.
  I commend our troops; I commend their families. They have given so 
much and are feeling the real meaning of sacrifice every day. Deputy 
Secretary Paul Wolfowitz confirmed to our Committee on Armed Services 
this week that our troops could be in Iraq for years.
  We need a plan for our partnership with the Iraqis, to move the 
security of their country to them as soon as they are ready. Until 
then, I commend this resolution for its reiteration of the full 
authority of the U.S. commanders in Iraq over American forces. That is 
so important. I feel strongly that we should have a status of forces 
agreement. Without it, we need at least a clear statement that our 
commanders can do what they must do to protect our troops and 
accomplish their mission.
  I join my colleagues in congratulating the Iraqi people. I urge 
strong support for this resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to our distinguished 
colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), my good 
friend.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I know that this is being 
carried on C-SPAN, but I think we should broaden our broadcast efforts. 
When we did the tax bill last week, I thought eBay should have been 
transmitting it. Today I think it really belongs on the Cartoon 
Network.
  There is much in this resolution I agree with, but what is most 
important is what is left out. The gentleman from California, a very 
distinguished and thoughtful legislator, although, unfortunately, in 
the minority and not in a position to write resolutions, said that it 
is our democratic responsibility to express legitimate criticisms of 
the administration. I agree. Sadly, because the majority is in control, 
there are none of them in this resolution.
  This resolution is a cartoon. It describes an Iraq that resembles 
nothing as much as Brigadoon. I expect maybe it will appear once every 
hundred years. I agree with many of the aspirations of this resolution. 
I agree that our troops deserve credit for the terrible situation in 
which they have been put. But if one read this resolution and had not 
read the newspapers or watched television about Iraq, one would not 
know what country was being discussed.
  The gentlewoman from California alluded to our congratulating Mr. 
Bremer for ably advancing the goals of making Iraq safe, secure, 
stable, sovereign, and democratic. The Iraq that is safe, secure, 
stable, sovereign, and democratic, are there two countries named Iraq? 
Is this Iraq anywhere near the Iraq that we have been worried about? I 
wish Iraq could become that. But to congratulate ourselves as if it 
already had is simply not accurate.
  I am troubled by the procedures we are seeing. The majority obviously 
feels concerned that the public no longer shares its view so they have 
decided to legislate opinion. They have a pattern now of coming forward 
with resolutions which include some things Members agree with, like 
support for our troops and aspirations, and then they wrap into that a 
lot of misrepresentative, inaccurate descriptions of reality and then 
demand that people vote it. We are told if we do not vote for a 
resolution that talks about

[[Page 13979]]

Iraq as a safe, secure, stable, sovereign, democratic state, that 
somehow we are not in favor of the troops. It is a misrepresentation of 
the situation of Iraq, and a grievous misuse of the legislative 
process.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. McCotter).
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, we are daily inundated with the rhetoric 
of terrorists selling their singular savagery to the world as 
revolution. Yet, when did we cease to be a revolutionary country? 
Never.
  One look about this weary, wanting world sufficiently reminds us it 
is we, the Americans, who were, are and continued throughout our 
democracy always must be the embodiment of the revolutionary ideals, 
powering the emancipation of populations throughout the globe.
  Thus, today is this resolution offered and its adoption urged in 
order that we might hearten our Iraqi allies in this dark hour before 
the dawn of their democracy, in order that we might unmask the archaic 
barbarians of evil and find, not revolutionaries, but lying 
reactionaries; and, finally, hopefully, in order that we might recall 
our own indispensable, indisputable revolutionary role in the 
advancement of man.
  Let us, then, pass this resolution and duly honor our revolutionary 
brethren, the Iraqi people, upon the occasion of the assumption of 
their sovereignty and the advancement toward their democracy, which 
like ourselves since our inception, they must win and keep.
  I urge support of the resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Kucinich), my friend and a distinguished colleague.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Frank) has pointed out that this resolution is being covered by C-SPAN. 
I would suggest it ought to be covered by the Science Fiction Network. 
Let us not be fooled by this bill, which endorses an illegal war which 
this Nation entered into based on lies and misrepresentation. Lest we 
forget, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, with al Qaeda's role in 9/11. 
Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. It was wrong to go in, and it 
is wrong to stay in. The June 30 sovereignty this resolution discusses 
is a hoax. What kind of sovereignty will Iraq have with 130,000 U.S. 
troops present? What kind of sovereignty does Iraq have when the U.S. 
is now selling Iraqi oil and spending the money as it sees fit?
  This bill states that we are handing Iraq a safe, secure and stable 
state. In effect, it declares a desert an oasis, a swamp a garden, a 
lie the truth.
  The continued U.S. occupation of Iraq will not end on June 30, and it 
is counterproductive. Make no mistake about it, when July 1 comes, the 
violence will continue, the attacks will not stop, and our troops will 
still be in harm's way. It is time for us to recognize the Nation went 
down the wrong path in Iraq. The policy is unsustainable and it is a 
failure. We cannot continue with it. It is time for a peace plan with 
an exit strategy. It is time for us to get the U.N. community involved 
and to bring our troops home. U.N. in, U.S. out.
  We should not be fooled. We should vote against this resolution, and 
we should be looking towards bringing this Congress together with a new 
direction to truly have a peace plan with an exit strategy. This 
resolution does not do this. This resolution is a farce and should be 
defeated.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
691, and I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde) for the leadership that he has provided and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) for the leadership that he has provided in not 
only this piece of legislation but in guiding our country through a 
very delicate moment of history.
  Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, and my colleagues, we are 
Americans. We are not Republicans. We are not Democrats. We are 
Americans today. Our country is at war with a force, a hostile force 
that hates everything that we stand for. That the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) of 
both parties are united in supporting this historic effort to defeat an 
enemy which would slaughter our people before our eyes and cut the 
heads off of American citizens and try to intimidate our entire Nation 
in order to make us cowards, the fact that we stand together is the one 
thing that gives us strength.
  H. Res. 691 reaffirms that we Americans are standing together behind 
the central purpose of the operation in Iraq, which is nothing more or 
nothing less than providing the Iraqi people the means to determine 
their own destiny through the ballot box; and by taking this stand, we 
take a stand for democracy that will be available to those in the 
Islamic world. It is a strategic move on our part but, yet, something 
totally consistent with our values as a people, as the American people.
  Thus, it is fitting today that we stand, as I say, not as Republicans 
and Democrats, but we stand behind our President and this noble effort 
in Iraq to get rid of a tyrant who slaughtered hundreds of thousands of 
his people and help those people in Iraq establish a democratic 
government so that all our children will live at peace and this evil 
force of radical Islam that threatens us will be defeated.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Nadler), our distinguished colleague.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, these feel-good resolutions that we passed 
last night and are considering today do not change the facts. The facts 
are that this country is not united. It is very divided over this war. 
The facts are we did not invade Iraq for the purpose of instituting a 
democracy. We invaded Iraq because we were told that Iraq threatened us 
with weapons of mass destruction and that Iraq was responsible, to some 
extent, for collaborating with al Qaeda and producing the catastrophe 
of 9/11.
  We were misled into Iraq by the administration that either lied to 
the American people or led us into war by use of falsehoods stated out 
of ignorance. We are told by this resolution that we are creating a 
sovereign Iraq now; and, yet, on page 7 of the resolution the American 
troops there remain under American command. That is a slight 
contradiction. How can Iraq be sovereign when we control the military 
over there?
  We are told that we are creating a democratic Iraq. Anybody who knows 
anything knows we are not going to have a democratic Iraq for many 
years, maybe decades. We will be happy to figure out a way to get out 
of this quagmire without leaving behind mass chaos, civil war, communal 
slaughter and betraying the Kurds a third time. We also know that this 
war in Iraq is a diversion from the real war against the Islamic 
terrorists who thrust war upon us, a war we must fight but that we are 
being diverted from. We know that it is harder to take the necessary 
action, if it may be necessary, if a real nuclear threat of nuclear 
proliferation arises perhaps in Iran because we cried wolf in Iraq.
  How will we persuade Congress or the American people that we have to 
do something real if a real threat arises, not a phantom threat that we 
reacted to?
  Our actions in Abu Ghraib and perhaps elsewhere still to be properly 
investigated have shamed this Nation and engendered further hatred of 
the United States across the world. So let us not celebrate this 
catastrophe. Let us not pass resolutions that do not bear any relation 
to the world. Let us figure out how to get out of this catastrophe as 
best we can.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to our 
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey).
  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, let me first say that I have a great deal 
of respect for both the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and for

[[Page 13980]]

the work that they do here, and there is much in this resolution with 
which I agree. However, there is a lot in here that is misleading. In 
fact, I think that much of this resolution is an exercise in self-
deception as well as an attempt to deceive others.
  Let me just give my colleagues an example. We have here on page 4, 
the House of Representatives offers its continued support to the people 
and government of Iraq as they deal with the consequences of decades of 
misrule by the former regime of Saddam Hussein.
  Well, that is interesting and right, but it does not say that we 
supported that regime of Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein took office in 
1980. It was not more than 3 years later that the government of 
President Reagan sent Donald Rumsfeld to Iraq to begin a relationship 
with that country, and the relationship resulted in the transfer of 
billions of dollars of American material and money to the government of 
Saddam Hussein right on up to the advent of the first Gulf War.
  Why are we not talking about that in this resolution, how we supplied 
the government of Saddam Hussein with money, how we supplied the 
government of Saddam Hussein with both conventional, biological and 
chemical weapons from the United States, from France, from Germany and 
from Chile, all orchestrated by the government under the administration 
of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush? Why are we not talking about 
that in this resolution?
  We are giving our sympathy and our condolences to the innocent people 
who were killed in Iraq. What about the innocent people who were killed 
unnecessarily as a result of this unjust, unnecessary war?
  This is a war that will be a rock around the neck of this country for 
decades. It will be a long time before we get over the results of this. 
That is particularly true with regard to the treatment of prisoners in 
Abu Ghraib and Camp Cropper and others. Why are we not discussing that 
in this resolution?
  There is much to be embarrassed about. This is not something that we 
should congratulate ourselves about. Try not to deceive ourselves 
either.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. DeLay), the majority leader.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding.
  I am just a little overwhelmed by the previous two speakers. What we 
are here for is a resolution that celebrates successes in the war on 
terror. Yet, to make their arguments, they might as well go back to 
World War II and all kinds of things that have nothing to do with the 
war on terror, with the national security of this Nation, with trying 
to protect the American people, and while we are doing that, spreading 
freedom and democracy around the world, because, Mr. Speaker, next 
Wednesday, the whole world is going to stop what it is doing and it is 
going to look toward the Tigres and the Euphrates Rivers, the cradle of 
civilization, and witness the miracle of democracy taking hold in Iraq.
  For a generation, the proud and resilient people of that great nation 
were brutalized by a dictator. Today, they are free, and next Wednesday 
they will take up their God-given, human right to self-determination.
  The resolution before us acknowledges all that has been won in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom and all that has been sacrificed in that 
victory. Words, of course, cannot replace the years lost to millions of 
Iraqi families during Saddam Hussein's reign of terror nor can they 
bring back the brave American heroes lost in battle since the war began 
last March.
  Despite the finest planning, equipment and training in military 
history, servicemen and women of the American armed forces are still at 
war, and no matter how just and how necessary wars may be, they still 
rob us of the bravest and truest of the young.
  Just as the miracle of June 30 will be a celebration of the Iraqi 
people, it will also be a celebration of the men and women who 
liberated them from evil and especially a celebration of the legacy of 
service left by those who will not make it home. That legacy, Mr. 
Speaker, is not one of grief and regret but of service, duty, love and 
courage. It is a legacy of honor which cannot be undone by the 
unyielding winds of history or the frantic storms of politics. It 
cannot be undone because we will not let it. Those young men and women 
will not have died in vain.
  Therefore, this resolution affirms Congress' absolute support for 
democracy and freedom in Iraq and for the forthcoming Iraqi interim 
government sworn to provide both. It also reaffirms our commitment to 
see the job of stabilizing and securing Iraq to the end.
  Terrorists remain in Iraq targeting Iraqi government officials and 
American and coalition troops.

                              {time}  1530

  Terrorists remain in Iraq, targeting Iraqi government officials and 
American and coalition troops. Those terrorists, like all terrorists in 
this war on terror, must be killed or captured before democracy can 
truly be secured in Iraq or anywhere else in the world.
  In order for America's war on terror to succeed, Iraq's interim 
government, and ultimately the democratic government elected next year, 
must also succeed. Its success depends on the continued military, 
economic, and diplomatic support of the United States and the 
international community, which President Bush has pledged and garnered 
since before Operation Iraqi Freedom began. That support will remain in 
place as long as it is necessary, and I know all Americans hope for a 
strong and enduring alliance between the United States and a sovereign 
democratic Iraq.
  Before I close, Mr. Speaker, there is one man who deserves special 
thanks in this debate, a man who stared down enemies and appeasers 
alike and marshaled the civilized world to victory in Iraq. Were it not 
for the courage and vision of George W. Bush, June 30 would be just 
another Wednesday in Iraq. Instead, it is a day to be remembered, 
fraught with danger, to be sure, a day, too, of unfinished business, 
but a day of pride in this country.
  For June 30 is not the end of the road, but it is just another step 
along mankind's unending journey toward freedom. We will not be divided 
by our enemies or deterred from our goals in the war on terror in Iraq, 
Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world, and that is due to the 
steadfast leadership of our Commander in Chief. Thank you, Mr. 
President.
  So I urge all Members to support this resolution and send a signal of 
solidarity from the American people to the people of Iraq and to the 
nations around the world that all people who seek to be free are now 
and will always be our friends.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to 
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a soldier in the service of 
his nation never dies in vain. But that soldier's sacrifice should 
affirm the fact that criticism, diverse opinion, and the right to 
challenge government is precious and privileged and protected by the 
Constitution.
  Might I add my appreciation to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos), the ranking member, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) 
for the collegiality and the respect given to Members in this debate 
and the language of this legislation.
  I oppose this war with every fiber in my body, but I believe today is 
a time to be able to emphasize elements of unity that will say to the 
world that we do want success. I believe there is failure; and so for 
that reason, for the record, I will indicate that I will not support 
pages 1 to 5, at the top; but I am going to support this resolution on 
the basis of the resolution, how we resolve.
  What are we resolving? We recognize the people of Iraq, the most 
innocent. We are offering our support to them that they might survive 
and experience democracy. We are expressing gratitude to the Armed 
Forces and to the families, families who I had to sit with as they 
buried their young. And, as well, we are giving condolences to them for 
the soldiers who died on the

[[Page 13981]]

frontline. No matter whether we have won or lost, their sacrifice will 
never be in vain.
  I offer to the families in Houston my appreciation. But as I do that, 
Mr. Speaker, let me emphasize that our job is not yet done. I can 
assure my colleagues that I do not speak from the well of the House. I 
have been to Afghanistan. I have been to Iraq. I have sat with 
soldiers, and in so doing I have heard them say this is a frustrating 
job, but we are here in order to have the opportunity to press American 
principles.
  But, Mr. Speaker, we did not press American principles by having an 
unconstitutional war, a unilateral and preemptive strike. We did not 
observe constitutional principles by allowing the U.N. inspections or 
not fulfilling our responsibility in Abu Ghraib, or have an exit 
strategy, or the intelligence failure when we went into the war on the 
basis of weapons of mass destruction.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I stand in the well of the House so that everyone 
will know I do not step away from my opposition to this war, but I 
stand alongside families, those who lost their young loved ones, those 
who still fight, and, yes, the Iraqi people, who, I hope, with a new 
strategy and a new opportunity, will face democracy in the 21st 
century.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence).
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important 
statement of the people's House, congratulating the interim government 
of Iraq for its forthcoming assumption of sovereign authority and 
congratulating the United States Armed Forces and coalition forces for 
their sacrifice. I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 
and our chairman, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), for their 
usual and extraordinary and timely leadership on this issue.
  When I sat in Baghdad in the coalition provisional headquarters on 
March 1, we sat with Ambassador Bremer across from the hall where was 
debated the interim Constitution of Iraq. Within 24 hours, these words 
would enter into the history forever of a free Iraqi people in the 
preamble of Iraq's transitional administrative law: ``The people of 
Iraq, striving to reclaim their freedom, which was usurped by the 
previous tyrannical regime, rejecting violence and coercion in all its 
forms, and particularly when used as instruments of governance, have 
determined that they shall hereafter remain a free people governed 
under the rule of law.''
  The preamble of a new Constitution for a free and democratic Iraq. 
When just 2 years ago we think of the Iraq that existed on the world 
scene, Saddam Hussein was still imprisoning, torturing, and killing 
tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis; financially supporting and 
encouraging terrorism; illegally profiting from the U.N.'s Oil-For-Food 
program, denying millions of Iraqis needed medicines and food; and 
flouting and ignoring 16 different U.N. Security Council resolutions.
  Thanks to the leadership of President George W. Bush and the 
sacrifice of U.S. and coalition forces, those days are over. And on 
this June 30 that we commemorate in this resolution, the United States 
will disengage and those words of that preamble will begin to become 
the reality of a new free and democratic Iraq.
  And know this, Mr. Speaker. The people of Iraq are grateful. As we 
stood in the midst of 30 or 40 men and women in Basra the day before we 
were in Baghdad, I will never forget as people approached me one after 
the other, tears in their eyes, taking me by the hand and saying, 
please, when you go home to America, tell the people you serve that we 
will never forget what the United States has done for our people in 
Iraq.
  The people I met in Iraq have an undying gratitude that will begin to 
express itself most eloquently in the advance of freedom and democracy 
for themselves and their posterity. I support this resolution. I 
embrace all that it celebrates, and I thank the chairman and the 
ranking member for their leadership in bringing it forward at this 
time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and it is a privilege to speak on the resolution of two people 
for whom I have the utmost respect, the chairman and ranking member of 
the Committee on International Relations. I thank them for this 
resolution.
  I have been in Iraq five times, and four of those times I have been 
outside the umbrella of the military as well as being under the 
umbrella of the military. I have talked to everyday Iraqis, attended a 
wedding, visited schools, hospitals, businesses, met with community and 
religious leaders, as well as visited the very poorest of the poor in 
their own homes, and slept in Iraqi villages. I cannot tell you how 
important June 30 is. There is not an Iraqi I spoke to who did not tell 
me they want this to be an Iraqi revolution, not an American 
revolution. They are eager to run their own country.
  Now, we have made some mistakes. It is clear that we should have 
prevented the looting. It is also clear to me we should not have 
disbanded the government, the army or the police. Certainly the bad 
folks within should have been taken out. So we have made some mistakes.
  When you speak to Iraqis, they will tell you they are suspicious of 
the United States because to them we are strangers. As good a Nation as 
we are, and as important as removing Saddam is, they never had a 
government they could trust. So why would they trust a foreign 
government to lead them for a year? They blame the United States for 
the sanctions, not Saddam, ironically. And they also told me of the 
loved ones they lost when we told them to rebel against Saddam, but we 
left the Republican Guard in place to kill their loved ones. They ae 
angry about this.
  They would tell me all those things, and they mean them. But in spite 
of their suspiction and anger they are so grateful to be free from 
Saddam. The most important decision the President made was to say, 
against the opposition of some, on June 30 sovereignty will be passed 
to the Iraqi people in an interim government. It is their country, and 
they should run their own country and they are eager to do it.
  I am so proud to be in the presence of those Iraqis who have taken 
the mantle of leadership. If you asked me are their lives in danger and 
how likely is it they will be there a year from now, I cannot tell you 
with any confidence they will survive. But they are willing to take on 
this task in spite of the dangers they face.
  So I salute our troops for the 840 men and women we have lost and for 
the thousands that have been injured, I salute the Iraqi people, who 
have done everything they can to be free people and now have the chance 
to run their own country. I particularly appreciate that we have an 
opportunity to speak on a resolution that says, uncategor-
ically, on June 30, the Iraqi people reign. They will run their own 
country. Ambassador Negroponte will not be a Mr. Bremer. He is our 
ambassador who is there at the invitation of the Iraqi people.
  May God bless Iraq, may God bless the United States of America. I put 
my hand to my heart in appreciation for what we are doing and with 
appreciation and gratitude for the friends I have made with so many 
good and brave Iraqis.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the distinguished whip.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time and for his work in bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to have a discussion with the 
new President of Iraq, President Yawar, about his vision of a stable, 
sovereign, and democratic Iraq. All of us who joined with him in this 
building that day were impressed by his resolve and, frankly, impressed 
by his courage, the courage of Prime Minister Illawi, and the courage 
of hundreds of others who

[[Page 13982]]

have demonstrated great bravery and resolve by taking the reins of the 
Iraqi Governing Council in the aftermath of Izzedeen Salim's 
assassination in mid-May, in the face of daily attacks, and this 
desperate attempt of tyrants and tyranny to prevail in a part of the 
world that has experienced tyranny for far too long.

                              {time}  1545

  Why, in the prime of their lives, are Iraq's new leaders risking 
everything, including their very lives, for such a cause? It is 
because, Mr. Speaker, they desire liberty. It is because they desire 
freedom. The men and women who will officially become Iraq's interim 
leaders June 30 all share a vision of their native land free at last of 
Saddam Hussein's brutal oppression. This vision respects the rule of 
law and will listen to the voice of the people. This government, of 
course, is one step toward elections and an elected government that we 
hope to see in Iraq in just a few months.
  We should not forget that our Nation was built on the backs and the 
minds and the hearts and the hands of the same kind of brave and heroic 
figures. Two hundred twenty-eight years ago, 56 Americans challenged 
the British crown by signing the Declaration of Independence, risking 
their families, their fortunes and their lives for the cause, again 
just like Iraqis today, the cause of liberty.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, in supporting the brave Iraqi leaders and the 
millions of Iraqi citizens who are standing up to the terrorists and 
insurgents for the cause of freedom for the Iraqi people, we recall the 
sacrifices made by brave Americans throughout history for our own 
freedom. We express our pride in the men and women of our Armed Forces 
who are making this day possible for the Iraqi people. Even after next 
week's handover, the cause of freedom in Iraq will continue to require 
sacrifices by the American people and by our brave soldiers. The 
American people must be prepared to help the fledgling government 
financially as it generates the type of infrastructure necessary to 
support a stable democracy. We must be prepared to encourage this 
government as it moves to free and fair elections.
  Iraq is still a dangerous place. Terrorists continue to target our 
troops as well as innocent men, women and children in an effort to ruin 
Iraq's attempt at democracy. But democratic institutions are forming 
and our soldiers and civilian advisers continue to train Iraqi police 
and other security forces. During today's deadly terrorist attacks, the 
reports of Iraqi soldiers fighting side by side with their American 
counterparts demonstrate just how determined Iraqis are to destroy this 
insurgency and live in peace for the first time in 30 years.
  Mr. Speaker, with today's resolution, the House reaffirms that the 
United States' motives in Iraq are founded on virtue. We do not desire 
any territory. We do not desire an empire. We seek stability both at 
home and in the Middle East. The President's decision to intervene in 
Iraq was made in the best interests of Americans and Iraqis. Saddam 
Hussein is in a jail cell, no longer able to pursue weapons of mass 
destruction or encourage global terrorism that threatens the lives of 
freedom-loving people. Most importantly in the context of today's 
debate, Iraqis at last have the chance to demonstrate to the world that 
democracy can spring forth in the cradle of civilization.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and even beyond 
that, I urge all of us and all Americans to support this great effort, 
this great experiment in freedom that we encourage today and in the 
days ahead.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Robust debate is the hallmark of this body and this afternoon we had 
a sampling of it for which we are all pleased. The difficulty in 
dealing with the issues that we face in this world is that we do not 
confront elegant alternatives but exasperating realities. It is in that 
context that I wish to quote from the person who will be the nominee of 
the Democratic Party at the upcoming convention on his views of this 
resolution and of this undertaking. I am quoting from Senator Kerry:
  ``While we may have differed on how we went to war, Americans of all 
political persuasions are united in our determination to succeed. The 
extremists attacking our forces should know that they will not succeed 
in dividing America, or in sapping American resolve, or in forcing the 
premature withdrawal of U.S. troops. Our country is committed to help 
the Iraqis build a stable, peaceful and pluralistic society. No matter 
who is elected President in November, we will persevere in that 
mission.''
  Mr. Speaker, these are difficult days for our country, but we stand 
united in our commitment to our troops and in our commitment to our 
values. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I want to thank the gentleman from California and everyone who has 
participated in this debate. As the gentleman from California said, 
robust debate is a hallmark of democracy and we have had that here. I 
have strenuously tried to keep politics out of this because I am so 
pleased this is a bipartisan resolution and truly it is one that is 
appropriate because it is a magnificent achievement to have a country 
such as Iraq under a dictator, a tyrant, turn into a working democracy 
where they are going to have free elections and have all of the 
additional assets that go with a democracy. I think it is a joyous 
occasion and one that no matter our differences we ought to be able to 
join in congratulating them.
  Mr. Speaker, we did not start this war. On September 11, 2001, some 
people declared war on us and committed an act of war. Does anyone 
doubt if they had access to nuclear materials they would have used 
them? And then we would mourn the deaths of 3 million people, not 3,000 
people. Does anybody doubt for one minute that chemical and biological 
warfare agents, if available to these people, they would not use them? 
They could poison an awful lot of water systems in this country and 
paralyze this country. War is different today. It is not declared. They 
do not put uniforms on and march in formation. They sneak up on you in 
the dark and stab you in the back. And so if you wait for the smoking 
gun, you might find one of your major cities is the smoking gun.
  The fact that Libya threw its cards on the table and said we will not 
pursue weapons of mass destruction is glossed over as though that was 
not a substantial achievement. The fact that weapons of mass 
destruction have not been found in Iraq does not mean that they were 
not ever there or that there were not programs to develop these things. 
And the history of Saddam Hussein is one that indicates he would use 
them in a minute given the opportunity.
  We are in a terrible war. We cannot win a war like this unless we are 
unified. I would ask all of us, Republicans and Democrats, when we 
start to argue this issue, think. Is what we are saying going to help 
us or not help us in this struggle that may last for generations? It is 
very important, because we all have children and grandchildren whose 
future ought to be a prime concern. Everything in this resolution is 
nonpartisan. It is praiseworthy. It recognizes one of the great 
accomplishments, the transformation of a country like Iraq into a 
functioning democracy and setting the example in that region of the 
world. And so let us join hands and acknowledge this accomplishment and 
join the Iraqi people in celebrating their new democracy.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, once again this House has passed a 
resolution celebrating the manner in which the war in Iraq has been 
fought, and the burgeoning democracy it has ostensibly established. In 
reality, H. Res. 691 speaks to the profound failure of the Bush 
Administration's Iraq policies and the lack of an appropriate rationale 
for invading another country: The war was fought because President 
Bush's desire to take down Saddam Hussein, not out of a desire to fight 
global terror; it was about a highly ideological plan to extend 
America's reach in the Middle East, not about ridding the world of 
nuclear weapons. In short, the war was about the Bush Administration's 
priorities--not Iraq's.

[[Page 13983]]

  This resolution also expresses unequivocal support for our Armed 
Forces. We must be sure to honor the brave men and women who put 
themselves in harm's way; already 833 American soldiers who have died 
during the course of this conflict. Accordingly, I hope we will honor 
future veterans when they return home, as thousands of them will 
require prosthetic arms and legs, physical therapy, and years of health 
care for injuries incurred during the war.
  H. Res. 691 is not without its merits. This resolution contains 
important language expressing condolences to the families of the 
innocent Iraqis who have been killed or wounded during the conflict. In 
fact, an estimated 12,000-14,000 unarmed, innocent Iraqi civilians have 
died since the United States invaded the country last year.
  However, while I support many parts of this resolution, I am 
disappointed that the House Republican leadership has once again pushed 
for passage of a resolution the contents of which are either inaccurate 
or downright wrong.
  An entire clause of this resolution is devoted to the claim that Iraq 
has been transformed ``into a safe secure, stable, sovereign, 
democratic state that serves the interests of the Iraqi people.'' 
Secure? Stable? Sovereign? Iraq is none of these things, and it still 
won't be any of these things when the United States transfers authority 
back to the Iraqi people on June 30th. The Bush Administration needs to 
realize and admit to the American people that Iraq is neither secure 
nor stable, and will not be either of these things for a great many 
years. The Administration's policies in Iraq have been a colossal 
failure.
  The fact is, President Bush and his Administration want to have it 
both ways. They want to appear to have finished up work in Iraq in time 
for the November elections, while at the same time maintaining over 
100,000 soldiers there to ensure they maintain a high degree of control 
over the country's fate. Not to mention the new American Embassy 
overseen by the controversial John Negroponte will be the largest in 
the world.
  Instead of continuing to pass resolutions of inaction, Congress 
should be pressing the administration to truly engage the international 
community to stabilize an insecure Iraq--particularly in light of the 
recent resolution endorsing the turnover of power back to the Iraqi 
people that was passed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council. We've 
already entered into a fight that has diverted resources from the real 
fight against terrorism and from important domestic programs. Now is 
the time for taking measures so that we do not repeat our mistakes. Now 
is the time we must invest in an international coalition before the 
international will to endorse our efforts in Iraq runs dry.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution 
for the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people on June 30. June 30 
will be the start of a new Iraq. Life for the people of Iraq will be a 
world away from the cruelty and tyranny of the regime that once ruled 
them for decades. A new sovereign, interim Iraqi government--
representing the diversity of Iraq--will assume power, provincial 
governments will be put in place, courts will be overseen by Iraqi 
justices, political parties will be formed and preparations for 
national elections will be made.
  After June 30, the U.S., under the leadership of Ambassador John 
Negroponte, will provide support to the new Iraqi Interim Government as 
it assumes control of managing day-to-day operations, preparations for 
new elections, and rebuilding the country's infrastructure and economy.
  Leading up to June 30, infrastructure improvements--led by coalition 
forces--and the shift to self-government have already completely 
transformed the face of Iraq. Schools, medical clinics and hospitals 
have been reopened. An army and more effective police force have been 
rebuilt. A fair judicial system has been constituted. And an interim 
constitution has been signed--laying the foundation for democratic 
elections.
  The ability to transfer authority to a new sovereign Iraq only 14 
months after liberation efforts began is a major step forward for 
freedom. We should be proud of our young servicemen and women and 
civilian contractors in Iraq for their work in liberating 25 million 
Iraqis from the grip of Saddam Hussein's regime and rebuilding a 
country that was in disrepair for nearly two decades. America 
appreciates their sacrifice and commitment to the security of our 
Nation. Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our 
freedom and defend America will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, July 1, 2004 will be the dawn of a new day for the men, 
women and children of Iraq. This day will not mean an end to terrorist 
violence, but it will be a radical departure from the decades of 
governmental and personal abuse that existed under Saddam's ruthless 
regime.
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose H. Res. 691. My 
position is consistent with my opposition to our invasion of Iraq and 
my belief that any congratulations we extend to the interim government 
are muted by the reality of ongoing death and mayhem that occur daily 
in Iraq.
  Additionally, I want to express my condolences to all of the victims 
of our invasion into Iraq. My heart is heavy for the Iraqi families 
that have suffered permanent losses as a result of the war and 
continuing insurgency efforts. Furthermore, I mourn for the families of 
U.S. and foreign military personnel; valiant soldiers, men and women, 
who have sacrificed their lives to promote the reality of freedom for 
Iraqis.
  However, Mr. Speaker, I disagree with many of the notions put forward 
in the resolution because I believe some of them are simplistic, naive 
and wrong. While it is true that Iraqis have participated in elections, 
widespread antagonisms persist and violent behavior continues to be 
directed at our forces. Our soldiers are imperiled because of how and 
why they entered Iraq, in addition to their continued presence in Iraq. 
Second, the notion that Iraq is more secure now than before is also 
wrong. While it is true that the government of Saddam Hussein was 
toppled, Iraq continues to be a besieged nation. Violence is prevalent, 
and the victims of the bombings and assassinations are largely innocent 
Iraqis.
  I appreciate the spirit in which the Resolution was drafted, but I 
strongly disagree with the underlying premise that we are celebrating 
the Iraqi freedom. Iraqis will not be free until they are capable of 
installing a representative government devoid of foreign intervention. 
Iraqis will not be free until they overcome the challenges of 
enfranchising diverse segments of its diverse population of Kurds, 
Sunnis and Shiites into a form of democracy that suits their needs and 
not the designs of the United States.
  Finally, while June 30, 2004 is a monumental date for the people of 
Iraq, we should not delude ourselves, nor mislead the people of Iraq 
that in the near term, democracy will bear the fruit of liberty and 
peace that they have been promised. As a mother and grandmother who 
worries about the future of our Nation and the world, I am ruled by my 
conscience, and my conscience dictates that I cast a ``no'' vote on H. 
Res. 691.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). All time for debate has 
expired.
  Pursuant to the order of the House of Wednesday, June 23, 2004, the 
resolution is considered read for amendment and the previous question 
is ordered.
  The question is on the resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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