[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4379]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRAGEDY IN SPAIN SHOULD REINFORCE OUR RESOLVE

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, what happened in Spain last week was a 
tragedy of the highest proportion. Our deepest condolences go out to 
the families who lost loved ones in that devastating attack. And we 
continue to stand with Spain in finding those responsible for this 
heinous attack. But I am troubled by the results of the weekend's 
election. The results of the election were influenced not by debate and 
campaigns but by bombs and terror. The message is that terrorists can 
control elections and policy with fear. Until now, Spain's leadership 
has understood that a peaceful, democratic Iraq would be a deathblow to 
terrorists around the world. Success in Iraq is success in the war on 
terror. The American people understand that as well. That is why they 
boycotted countries that sided with Saddam Hussein. I hope that 
Americans will not start dumping Spanish wine or changing travel plans 
or boycotting Spanish goods in protest, but if Spain withdraws its 
troops from Iraq, the message will be, terrorism works.
  Fear and intimidation is the native language of terrorists. They only 
understand strength. Anything less does not pacify them. It only 
encourages them.

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