**Floor Statement -- H.Res. 861**

**Declaring that the United States Will Prevail in the Global War on
Terror, the Struggle to Protect Freedom from the Terrorist Adversary**

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.Res. 861, a resolution that
reaffirms our commitment to confronting the threats posed by terrorists
and honors those on the front line in the war against terrorism: our
first responders, members of the Armed Services and our Coalition
partners.

I also appreciate the opportunity to stand here today and express my
feelings on the war in Iraq, which is an issue of vital importance to
all Americans, particularly the families of our fighting men and women.

Mr. Speaker, I am certain that every single member of the House of
Representatives wants our troops out of harm's way. What we differ on is
how we go about doing that. There are members of this body that would
immediately order our troops home, and there are members who would set
arbitrary timetables to end the war. While I can respect those points of
view, I wholeheartedly disagree.

I think most of us understand that we [MUST SUCCEED]{.underline} in Iraq
if we are to win the global war on terror. Like any war, we may not want
to be there, but we now must complete the task that we now face. Then,
at an appropriate time, when Iraqi forces can take control and secure
their country, our troops should be re-deployed.

This is not to say that the task will be easy \-- it will not. Our
forces still face threats every day and the fledgling Iraqi government
has tremendous challenges in front of it as well. We resolve to prevail,
but we also need to make it clear to the Iraqi government that our
patience and support are not blank checks that can be cashed with
American lives and tax dollars.

So Mr. Speaker, how do we get to the goal we all seek? I believe it is
imperative that the Congress do its job and proactively evaluate the
current level of progress of the Iraqi government and comprehensively
report these findings to the American people. While we debate the merits
of our efforts here today, we also need to have a continuing dialogue
about when the Iraqis themselves will be strong enough to protect
themselves and run their country.

For a national dialogue to happen, the American people are looking to
both the President [and]{.underline} Congress to provide leadership and
seek out the necessary information. The American people are looking to
us for the answers to the questions they have on how much progress is
being made, what are the Iraqis themselves willing to do to fight for
their freedom, and when will our men and women come home?

For this very reason, I recently introduced a resolution calling on
certain House and Senate committees to issue reports on the progress of
the newly-formed Iraqi government to take over operational control of
the Iraq War; maintain proper civil order within Iraq; foster economic
growth and self-sufficiency; and preserve the Iraqi people's freedoms as
set forth in their Constitution. It is my firm belief that these
findings and conclusions will set the stage for further evaluation and
decision-making on continued U.S. presence in that country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting H.Res. 861
today and ask that this dialogue be continued beyond today for the good
of our nation, our troops and our global war on terror.