Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (CO-04) spoke in strong opposition to the non-binding resolution currently being debated in the U.S. House regarding the war in Iraq. The following is excerpts of her address on the floor of the House:
I rise in strong opposition to this non-binding resolution. This is not even an honest debate, didn’t even have an open rule.
This is the wrong resolution; it sends the wrong message to our troops, our enemies and to our allies.
Today, like many Member of Congress do on a regular basis, I visited Walter Reed. While I was there today I visited with a young man from my district, he had severe injuries….he had damage to face, he had horrific damage to his arm that he used to protect his face. He was in a HMMWV when an IED exploded and he actually turned the HMMWV towards the IED to protect the other men in his HMMWV.
So we all know the cost of war is very high. Many of us Members of Congress have also attended funerals and wept with mothers and fathers, families…It touches our hearts and we know the sacrifices made are incredible. These people need to feel the gratitude from the entire nation, gratitude and respect. And I believe this resolution sends the wrong message.
What is not being considered adequately in this country is the cost of failure. When we think about our enemies being emboldened, when we think about the vast resources that our enemies will have access to, to acquire biological and nuclear weapons. The horrific affects are just almost immeasurable.
When I think about this cost of failure in Iraq, and indeed in the global War on Terror, I think about how we Americans make an assumption. We assume, most of us, when we go to bed that tomorrow will be like today. That things are going to go on like they’ve gone on, and that we’ll have the liberties and freedoms that we enjoy. But I will say the wonderful thing we have here in the United States in America, these freedoms and liberties, are very fragile. They are very fragile when we face radical jihadists that would murder us thinking it will take them straight to paradise.
I talked to a retired General yesterday and I believe he said it all. He said, “You’re down there debating aren’t you. You’re talking about the ‘united we quit resolution.'”
I believe we have a choice. United we stand or united we quit, and our choice will echo down the halls of history.
