Newsletter: 'A Date Which Will Live in Infamy' Remembered

Statement

Dear Friends,

On Dec. 7, 1941, a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 Americans and destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships. Half those killed were on the battleship USS Arizona.

The next day, Congress declared a war that Americans knew we could and must win. The attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the U.S. into the fight lasted just 75 minutes but launched almost four years of unrelenting sacrifice.

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the most costly war in history, which killed 15 million in battle, including 416,000 Americans. Another 45 million civilians died as a consequence of World War II.

Though the Pacific Fleet was severely damaged, the admiral who conceived the attack knew his forces had fallen short by failing to hit three aircraft carriers out to sea on Dec. 7. Japanese Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto understood the strength of the American democracy would respond.

He didn't imagine, however, that the U.S. would sink four Japanese carriers just six months later in the decisive Battle of Midway, a testament to American resolve. The heroism of the American sailor, soldier, airman and marine is well known.

Unlike some of our enemies in the course of history, Americans don't relish war. We fight when we must.

As Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said shortly after the close of World War II, "I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its stupidity."

I consider the authority to declare war the most solemn responsibility of a member of Congress. History is replete with examples -- from Greece to World War I to Iraq and Afghanistan -- in which promises of quick and easy victory go unfulfilled and result in grave unintended consequences.

Our strength is our democracy and commitment to the rule of law. Only when our direct national interests are at stake should we put our brave men and women in service in mortal danger. That's why I have resisted efforts to expand the U.S. role against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

On this sobering anniversary, I pray for our forces in the field, as well as their families. And I honor those who have sacrificed to preserve, protect and defend these United States. I hope you'll join me.

Thank you,

Raul Labrador

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