[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 27634]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              WAR IN IRAQ

  (Mrs. BLACKBURN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, we are saluting our veterans from World 
War II today. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with 
members of the 278th Regimental Combat Team of the Tennessee National 
Guard, and the 115th Field Artillery Regiment from the Tennessee Army 
National Guard.
  Tennessee was welcoming them home after a year of service in Iraq and 
around the world. They have done great work. We are proud of them. And 
I believe their sacrifice is what does keep this Nation free.
  Mr. Speaker, it was with sadness and a little bit of disbelief that I 
heard yesterday of Democratic Party leader Howard Dean's comments that 
we cannot win in Iraq, and that we are in the same situation as 
Vietnam.
  The pessimism and historical ignorance contained in those statements 
is simply staggering, Mr. Speaker. I do not know if this is simply 
wishful thinking by a Democratic leader looking for an angle to slam 
the White House, or whether Mr. Dean actually believes it. Both options 
are frightening. I have been in Iraq. I have seen the progress. It is 
undeniable. It is good for America. It is good for the freedom-loving 
people in this world. Thank you to the men and women in uniform for 
their sacrifice.

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