WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Addressing her colleagues on the House floor tonight during debate
on H.Con. Res. 104, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) expressed
her support for American service men and women in the Persian Gulf, adding,
“Each and every word of praise and support for our troops in this Resolution,
I wholeheartedly endorse.”
Schakowsky,
however, added, “But as one who believes that this pre-emptive war that
put these brave patriots in harm’s way is unwise and unnecessary, I cannot,
in good conscience, support a resolution that ‘ unequivocally’ endorses
that action.”
Schakowsky,
who voted Present on the resolution, delivered the following statement
during debate on H.Con. Res. 104:
“On
April 28, 1999, the now Majority Leader, Tom DeLay, addressed the House
of Representatives with these words:
‘Mr.
Speaker, this is a very difficult speech for me to give, because I normally
and I still do, support our military and the fine work that they are doing.
But I cannot support a failed foreign policy…’
“I
quote this not in criticism and not for any political purpose, but because
these words express my feelings tonight, just as they expressed the Majority
Leader’s when our troops were in Kosovo, a policy I supported just as he
supports the war in Iraq.
“Each
and every word of praise and support for our troops in this Resolution,
I wholeheartedly endorse. As a mother, every expression of gratitude
and prayer for their families, I embrace. But as one who believes
that this pre-emptive war that puts these brave patriots in harm’s way
is unwise and unnecessary, I cannot, in good conscience, support a resolution
that ‘unequivocally’ endorses that action.
“I
deeply love my country, and without reservation, the men and women who
wear our uniform, but, regretfully, will not support this resolution.” |