Etheridge Statement in Support of Resolution Authorizing the Use of Force in Iraq

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Statement of
The Honorable Bob Etheridge
Support for Resolution Authorizing the Use of Force in Iraq
October 8, 2002

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of North Carolina to discuss the resolution to authorize the use of force to deal with Saddam Hussein once and for all.

No one can dispute that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a thug. His brutal dictatorship has enslaved the Iraqi people in a state of terror for many, many years. His outlaw regime has long been characterized by vicious political repression and denial of basic human rights. He has unleashed the horrors of chemical and biological weapons against innocent men, women and children in his own country.

Saddam Hussein's international crimes are well known. On two separate occasions, he has invaded neighboring countries to launch wars of conquest against nations that presented him no threat. He has attacked civilian population centers in our allied countries of Israel and Saudi Arabia. He has threatened the security of the Middle East region and peace in the world. And his military routinely fires upon American and allied aircraft patrolling the Iraqi skies to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions which he agreed to abide by at the conclusion of the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Make no mistake: Saddam Hussein is an international outlaw who must be confronted once and for all. He must be thoroughly disarmed so he no longer poses a threat to world peace. Frankly, we should have taken care of this festering problem when we had the chance, but the first Bush administration walked away and let this murdering thug ravage his country and consolidate his iron grip on power. The Clinton Administration contained Saddam for eight years, but Iraq's progress in obtaining weapons of mass destruction renders "containment" a policy no longer sufficient to the task.

I support President Bush's policy of confronting Saddam Hussein. But we must not wage war without making every effort to achieve our goals without further bloodshed. We must not take a "go it alone" approach. Rather, we should assemble an international coalition among the family of nations of the world to present a united front in the struggle against this evil dictator. International cooperation must not be considered a luxury to be obtained if convenient. Rather, we must recognize the great lesson of the twentieth century that international cooperation is essential to America's security and prosperity.

We must also not lose sight of our ongoing worldwide military campaign to eradicate the threat of the Al Qaeda terrorist network. The wounds of 9/11 still ache. America has unfinished business with Osama bin Laden and his fanatical followers. Bin Laden may be dead or may be alive, but let there be no doubt that his loyalists still lurk in the shadows ready to strike Americans in unguarded moments. We must not relent in our pursuit of the terrorists, and we must not mishandle the present Iraqi situation in a manner that breeds suicidal maniacs begging for the chance to kill Americans. Rather, we must engage moderate Arab republics and leaders of the Islamic faith to demonstrate that our cause is just, our intentions are noble and our friendship is genuine and enduring.

I want to commend my Democratic colleagues who have stood on principle to address the important shortcomings of the White House's original resolution. Now is not the time for partisan politics, and I am pleased we have arrived at language that a broad cross-section of this House can support while leaving individual Members free to vote their consciences.

Mr. Speaker, as a veteran of the United States Army, my thoughts and prayers are with our brave men and women in uniform and the families who love them. Our military is the finest fighting force ever assembled in world history. They are well trained, highly motivated and superbly led. Should force be necessary, their mission may well be a very difficult one. But I have no doubt our warriors will rise to the occasion and win the day.

Finally, Congress must get back to addressing the critical issues facing our families every day. Congress must act to improve education, reduce health care costs, protect Social Security and get our economy back on track.

We must balance the budget and pay down the national debt for long-term economic growth. We must protect Social Security from privatization schemes that would cut benefits. We must lower health care costs for families. And we must fund education so that every American willing to work hard can make the most of his or her God-given abilities.

In conclusion, I will vote for this use of force resolution. At the end of the day, the leadership of this country must speak with one voice. As President Kennedy said in his Inaugural Address, "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty."

Saddam Hussein is the world's leading threat to human liberty. I support this resolution as a last resort to eliminate that threat. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.