Remarks of Congressman Jim Clyburn in support of the Spratt Substitute of House Resolution 112.

Remarks of Congressman Jim Clyburn in support of the Spratt Substitute of House Resolution 112.
Washington, DC) - "I thank my home state colleague, Mr. Spratt, for yielding me this time, and for his leadership on this and so many other issues in this body.

Mr. Speaker, there is not a member of this body who does not believe that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant who has murdered his own people, violated U. N. sanctions and thumbed his nose at the world community. However, this body and our nation are deeply divided as to the proper course of action at this juncture.

My co-sponsorship of the Spratt substitute reflects that uncertainty among my constituents, the American people and our allies around the world. Calls to my office express an overwhelming lack of support for pre-emptive military action. "Shoot now, and ask questions later", has never been the American way, and it should not be now.

It is an awesome responsibility to have the power to set events in motion that could forever alter another country, and an entire region, not to mention our nation's future relationships in the world community.

We should not put the lives of our youth at risk, and further fuel the fervor of terrorist actions against our homeland. We should not duck our responsibilities as members of Congress.

I believe this substitute is the best action to take at this particular juncture. Many of us lived through Vietnam, and saw its wrenching effect on our nation. This is not the time to commit an unpopular, unilateral act of aggression, especially one with such great potential for devastating consequences. Mr. Speaker, just because we can does not mean we should."