[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESIDENTS TO BRING PEACE 
                       AND SECURITY TO OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
efforts of a group of local elected officials and constituents from my 
Congressional district to weigh in on our Nation's budgetary 
priorities. These individuals are all involved in local government and 
community organizations. They are appealing to President Bush to ensure 
a viable response to the Iraq conflict and that the Nation's domestic 
priorities are not shortchanged in the process. They come together to 
oppose the nation's use of unilateral and preemptive military activity 
and seek to promote a more peaceable foreign policy. I am also 
submitting a letter that was sent to President Bush and all Washington 
area Members of Congress showing their concern on this important issue. 
Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in supporting their commitment to our 
country and concern for the pressing social needs in communities.


 Statement by Washington Metropolitan Area Elected Local Leaders To Be 
  Forwarded to President Bush and Washington Area Members of Congress

       We are concerned for the effects of the United States' 
     involvement in Iraq on the Washington, D.C. metropolitan 
     area. So far, Congress has appropriated more than $160 
     billion for the Iraq conflict. These enormous appropriations 
     are causing the Federal deficit to reach dangerous levels. 
     They also will cause reductions in important Federal programs 
     that address transportation, infrastructure, and pressing 
     social needs within the United States. This is happening at a 
     time when serious budget problems are being experienced by 
     every state in the union, including those in the Washington 
     D.C. area.
       Local governments already are feeling the effects of 
     Federal and state deficits and cuts to non-defense programs. 
     Local officials are being put in the difficult position of 
     having to either cut needed services to residents or pass the 
     expenses for such services to local taxpayers. Moreover, many 
     analysts believe that the United States' foreign policy 
     actions are strengthening and emboldening terrorist groups, 
     which puts the United States and all of its people--
     particularly those in the National Capital area--at increased 
     risk. We want to do our part to fight terrorism, but the U.S. 
     must embrace a thoughtful and realistic approach which can 
     garner international support.
       We honor and respect the sacrifices, the professionalism, 
     and the courage of our military personnel serving in the 
     Persian Gulf, and are especially mindful of those from the 
     metropolitan Washington area who have been put into 
     conditions of extreme hardship in that area. We hope and pray 
     that they may return safely home.
       For all of these reasons, we ask that you move immediately 
     to promote a viable resolution to the Iraq conflict. We 
     further request that you forbid and refrain from funding 
     further unilateral and preemptive military activity, 
     including military strikes on any nation that is not directly 
     threatening the United States.
       Your attention to this important matter is greatly 
     appreciated.

                          ____________________