[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24124]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            PROGRESS IN IRAQ

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the chief politicai expert and chief military 
expert for the U.S. before us in the FA committee. Despite the cynics, 
critics, and defeatists, who want there to be bad news, General 
Petraeus informed Congress that military progress is being made.
  Our job is not over in Iraq. It is in the best interest of America to 
finish our mission. War is hard, but retreat and a unilateral 
withdrawal is a plan for another Vietnam failure. Abandonment is what 
our enemy wants but not what we will give them.
  General Petraeus testified that substantial progress has been made by 
our forces and the Iraqi counterparts since the surge began in mid-
June. According to the General, the security situation in Iraq is 
improving, while the Iraqi government continues to assume more 
responsibility in the political reconciliation of the country.
  Despite the progress being made, nay-sayers continue to undermine the 
momentum that is building in Iraq for a peaceful reconciliation. Of 
course there is more work to be done before we can see real success in 
Iraq. In fact, that is exactly why we can't walk away from this war. 
Iraq has become the most foremost front in the war against radical 
Islam. The strategy of Islamic militants assumes an American 
withdrawal. They believe we will grow weary of fighting for liberty and 
freedom abroad and that we will walk away from our commitments in Iraq. 
If success in Iraq is the goal, nay-sayers have to understand that 
giving up is simply not an option. Withdrawal will only embolden our 
enemies. We've got to fight them where they are and show them that we 
mean business. This is the time for America to stand strong and stay 
focused on our mission. The whole world is watching us.
  And that's just the way it is.

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