Date: 2007-02-14
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition to the resolution but in support of our troops. According to former Congressman. Senator. and Secretary of State Daniel Webster. "God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it." That was true in the mid 1800s and it is still true today. I represent the First District of Tennessee. Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State because of our heavy involvement in the Mexican War and the willingness of our men and women down through history to volunteer for service to our country. Right now. there are brave men and women in our armed services who are sacrificing for our freedom. The people of the First District of Tennessee and I are indeed indebted for their service and we thank these brave soldiers and we pray for them and their families. There are some who would want to limit their discussion to Iraq. while in fact we are involved in a global war on terror. We must be committed to win .this war on terror that was started by radical Islamic extremists. This war did not start on September 11. We have been in a war for many years. Many of you will recall the Iranian hostage crisis. 1979. 52 Americans held hostage. 444 days. As we move forward in history. the Beirut bombings. 1983. Two hundred fortyone of our brave marine soldiers were killed. Then we had the first Dombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. Then we had the USS Cole in 2000. Seventeen Americans killed. Then finally. September 11. 2001. 3.000 Americans killed. This war didnt start on September 11 and this war is not with Iraq. This is a war with radical Islam. We are involved to win a battle with terrorists who hate us. who hate our freedoms and who quite frankly hate our religion. The extremists have engaged us in battle. We owe it to our fellow citizens to see that we have nothing less than total victory. Congress should not micromanage this war. We have one Commander in Chief. It is fine to disagree and to point out mistakes. but this resolution is a step to weaken the morale of our troops and it will embolden our enemies. We cannot allow this to become another Vietnam situation. a situation where politicians tried to manage the war. My emotions run high as I remember. that era. My first cousin. Fred Gouge. was laid to rest just 1 week ago. Fred was wounded in that war in Vietnam. a war that was micromanaged by politicians. Because of that conflict. he spent the better part of the last 40 years in a wheelchair. He received a Purple Heart for his service. He was a war hero. just like the men and women of our military are right now. We cannot afford to ignore the advice of General Petraeus. who was recently unanimously approved by the Senate. and the advice of his commanders. I would ask. Madam Speaker. what message does a nonbinding resolution really send? This resolution says that this Congress will support our troops who have defended our freedoms. or who are currently serving in harms way. but that is little comfort for those brave men and women who would be called upon to protect us and our families in the future. This nonbinding resolution is only playing politics with our brave soldiers. their lives and our future as a nation. To suggest that we can support the troops but not be in the battle to win is ridiculous and shortsighted. I can remember as a child watching many different western television shows. Growing up. I dont know of many my age that didnt want to be the 6owboy in the Wild West. After seeing many of these stories.you realize that when the hero is in trouble. they sound the alarm. or blow the trumpet. and in races the cavalry to join their brothers in arms to win the fight. Madam Speaker. the trumpet has been sounded. It is time for the cavalry to join our brothers and sisters in arms to gain victory in this global war on terror. As the trumpet has been sounded. we have politicians in Washington who want to sit on their hands and not send in the troops. Looking at the latest news. as additional forces are moving in. iadical Islamic leaders like alSadr are fleeing for their strongholds. It has been repgrted that he has left Iraq for his own protection. The additional troops are already having a positive impact on the region. We have the ability to win this war on terrorism. and we must win this war to protect America today and for our future generations. Madam Speaker. that is why I will join many of my colleagues in voting "no" on this resolution.