Saluting our Soldiers

SALUTING OUR SOLDIERS -- (House of Representatives - March 17, 2004)

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns) is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago today, one of the world's most brutal dictators still sat on his throne and boasted that he would defy the world with impunity, protected by massive armies, and threatened terror through weapons of mass destruction. We sent brave young men and women into harm's way to contest that point.

Where it is appropriate, we pause today and review the progress we made, not against the monstrosity and Saddam Hussein's regime but the total war on terror. Our troops have registered a string of unbroken victories. They have won every battle and every campaign. They have destroyed the staging areas and the hiding holes of those who attacked this Nation on September 11, 2001, and they have helped to restore the security of their fellow Americans.

They have driven the Taliban from control of Afghanistan and are restoring the government of that country to its people. They have destroyed the Iraqi war machine and captured Saddam Hussein and are restoring the government of that country to its people. They have liberated a nation that has endured the darkness of tyranny and brutality ever since Saddam's Baath party seized control of that unfortunate nation some three decades ago.

Coalition soldiers have purchased with their blood, their sweat, and their tears, the best and brightest chance for freedom and democracy that this Nation and these nations in the Middle East have ever known. These men and women are not just troops, they are my neighbors. They are my friends. They are my constituents. They are fellow Georgians. They are heroes to all Americans.

For the Congressional Record and for posterity, the soldiers of Georgia's 12th District that have served in Iraq or Afghanistan thus far include the first of the 214th Field Artillery from Athens and Waynesboro, Georgia; the 878th Engineering Battalion from Augusta; the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon; the U.S. Army Signal School, Fort Gordon; the Eisenhower Army Regional Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia; the 3rd, and the proud, Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia, did a marvelous job in campaign Iraqi Freedom; the 75th Engineer Detachment from Fort Stewart; the 165th Air Control Wing from Savannah, Georgia; the 117th Air Control Squadron from Savannah; the 165th Security Police Squadron from Savannah; the Air Combat Readiness Training Center from Savannah; and the first of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Rangers lead the way, from Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia.

"Walk softly and carry a big stick," that is what Republican President Theodore Roosevelt said. These soldiers not only carried the stick for their countrymen, but they have swung it powerfully to convince the world that ours is not an idle threat, and because of that, we have won another victory.

We have eliminated a decades-long threat of Libyan terrorism, without a single shot being fired or a boot on the ground.

Once the dictator of that nation witnessed the professionalism and the resolution of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, he capitulated to the world community. That speaks volumes to the power of the American will in bringing peace and conciliation around the globe without having to go to war.

If those who threaten peace and freedom are convinced that we really mean business in defending it, they will back down. But make no mistake, they will test us. They have been doing that in Iraq and Afghanistan with pointless attacks on our troops and our allies. And if they sense a weakening of our will, they will attack with even more frequency and ferociousness. If they sense a weakness, sacrifices and the victories that we have won honorably in battle by our troops will be lost dishonorably by politically motivated criticism of our war efforts.

Not only will those who speak such words undermine and jeopardize our troops; they will likely invite terrorist attacks on our homeland. We need only look at the example of Spain to realize this is not mere conjecture.

Mr. Speaker, every Member of this House has a mission in this war. Our mission is much more simple and more safe than that of the brave men and women who currently serve our country. We only have to show the world and our terrorist enemies that we are rock solid and that we will see this war through to final victory. We need to make sure our words of debate, both in this body and on the campaign trail, are chosen carefully to avoid even a hint of providing encouragement and aid to our declared enemies.

Our ammunition consists of words, but rest assured they are powerful weapons that can support our troops or those of the enemy. Mr. Speaker, to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, let us commit today that every word spoken by us in this body and across the Nation will be in support of the American troops and not those of al Qaeda.

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