[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4543]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  MR. PRESIDENT, AMERICA NEEDS ANSWERS

  (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, last night, the President took to the 
airwaves and talked to the Nation about the international efforts that 
America is leading in Libya. This comes almost 2 weeks after the 
President gave his approval for the United States to be involved in the 
action in Libya. The President discussed the United States' interest in 
the conflict, the limited involvement of the United States military, 
and the role of other countries. What the President failed to deliver 
was a clear articulation on what is America's role in this conflict. 
Putting our men and women in harm's way while not knowing the specifics 
of how and why is not just unacceptable, it is dangerous.
  Mr. President, you need to be more forthcoming. The American people 
need more information. The American people certainly deserve answers. 
The explanation last night was disappointing, and we find ourselves 
even more frustrated as specific information was not provided. What is 
the exit strategy? What is the endgame? What are our goals? How are we 
going to ensure that the next government of Libya is not even more 
hostile than the current regime?
  The President does need to follow through with his actions. We need 
to have the resolve to see this through. The President waited too long 
to address the Nation. Certainly, the Congress needed to be involved. 
And certainly the American people needed to be involved.

                          ____________________