Relating to the Liberation of the Iraqi People and the Valiant Service of The United States Armed Forces and Coalition Forces

RELATING TO THE LIBERATION OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND THE VALIANT SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND COALITION FORCES -- (Extensions of Remarks - March 26, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. DIANA DeGETTE
OF COLORADO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2004

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, war does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity or religion-it is indifferent to background or boundaries, social standing or political affiliation. War impacts all of those involved with an impartial voracity. Honoring our men and women for the sacrifice, strength and courage they have demonstrated while in Iraq should be as unbiased-it should not be mired in partisanship or petty politics.

With a unified voice, the House of Representatives should approve a resolution that acknowledges the bravery of the American men and women in Iraq and the sacrifices they and their families have made for the sake of our nation. It should recognize the 575 American soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq, soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, as well as the more than 3,000 wounded troops who are struggling to recover from their injuries. We are deeply indebted to these men and women and grateful for the hardships they have endured. We should vote on, and unanimously pass, a resolution that unequivocally communicates this.

However, the Republican majority has presented a resolution that specifically and intentionally prevents unanimous support from this body. The divisive language alleging that the world is a safer place after the Iraqi invasion, is not only a point of great contention, it is a distraction from what should be the sole focus of the resolution: to commend our tireless troops in Iraq. Indeed, the Republican majority has squandered the opportunity to send a message of unwavering support to the American men and women in the field, instead opting to politicize the issue in order to advance its own political agenda.

In good faith, I cannot vote for a resolution that asserts that the world is safer since the U.S. invasion of Iraq when by every account, the world is glaringly even more vulnerable, as partly evidenced by the horrific bombing in Madrid last week.
When our country chooses to unilaterally use force before exhausting all diplomatic avenues, we risk alienating ourselves from our allies and emboldening our enemies. Unfortunately, I believe our go-it-alone strategy in Iraq has done just that.
While I cannot vote for this resolution, I am steadfast in my support for the American men and women fighting in Iraq and believe we must support them both by word and action. We must fight to get our troops home quickly and safely while upholding the commitment we have made to the Iraqi people. The best possible way to achieve this is by working with the international community to rebuild Iraq. Additionally, we must ensure that our troops, in the field and once they have returned home, have the benefits they rightfully deserve, including increased access to medical care and deserved increases in the family separation allowance and imminent danger pay.