[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 27577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Marchant). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, there are two things I want to address 
tonight, both terribly disappointing to me as a freshman Member of 
Congress.
  As a former judge who sent hundreds or thousands of people to prison 
for felony crimes, I have heard and seen all kinds of stories. But the 
one that played out last week makes me both heartsick and very angry. A 
valiant Vietnam veteran, a man of courage and daring, a Navy pilot, a 
defender of this country, an ace, a true military leader by example, 
pled guilty, basically, to accepting bribes to push defense contracts 
to contractors who may not have been entitled to them.
  For those of us who have served in the military, we know what it is 
to requisition supplies, equipment or services and get quality in 
response. On the other hand, we also know what it is to receive 
supplies, equipment or services and wonder who in the world got their 
bank account padded or their back scratched to allow such substandard 
material to be sent.
  Now to hear that our fellow congressman, Randy ``Duke'' Cunningham, 
was such a Member of Congress on the take makes me both very sad and 
very angry.
  Mr. Cunningham has made true acts and comments of contrition and 
humility; but my goodness, how much damage has been done. Not only will 
he be sentenced to satisfy the requirements of justice, retribution and 
deterrence, his family and friends will suffer. That is what happens 
when crimes are committed.
  Let us also not lose sight of the fact that the contractors who paid 
bribes should be barred from ever contracting with the government 
again. I do not know who it is, and it does not matter to me who they 
are or with whom they are friends, they should be barred.
  But one other thing that has caused me great bewilderment in the last 
month to 6 weeks or so is the rhetoric against our efforts in Iraq and 
how it has reached a crescendo and fanatical pitch. In what may well 
have been the cradle of mankind, the people of Iraq are on the 
threshold of democratically electing their first permanent leaders 
under their new Constitution. As a democratic self-governing people, we 
should as a Nation be uniting in support and encouraging the people of 
Iraq in their own efforts at self-government.
  Some, like our colleague and war hero, Mr. Murtha, have been 
expressing concerns of this type about the war for over 2 years. Others 
have now jumped on the bandwagon, and still others have raised their 
pitch dramatically. This historic election is 9 days off. It is true 
that if the election goes well, it not only is a great victory for 
freedom, democracy and against terrorism, but it will probably help 
President Bush. It is also clear, and many realize, if the election 
goes badly, it will probably exacerbate and lower President Bush's 
popularity still further. But could Members not wait 9 days, wait until 
after December 15, to make your points about withdrawal or how we are 
losing and we cannot win.
  Obviously, if the people of Iraq think we are about to withdraw 
before that permanent ink wears off their finger when they vote, they 
may hesitate to vote or not vote. Heightened rhetoric against our 
historic assistance in Iraq serves to undermine the election and may 
assist in its failure. I implore Members, regarding Iraq, please let us 
put partisan politics aside for the next 9 days until after the 
election.
  Sure, it would make you happy to see President Bush's numbers fall 
lower; but at the cost of democracy and stability in the Middle East 
and of our own safety, the price is too high. You can go back to your 
Bush bashing in 9 days, but how about being statesmen and stateswomen 
until after the Iraqi election. Show that there is one noble thing you 
can put above partisan politics for the next 9 days.
  We are doing a great good over there. I have seen. Senator Lieberman 
has seen it. Mr. Shays has seen it. We have witnessed it. At this time 
of year, we can note tragedy as I have tonight, but let us also rejoice 
in this great thing that may well come to pass next week if you will 
stop trying to poison it before it happens.

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