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ask.heather@mail.house.gov
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In Washington DC
442 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, DC
20515
202-225-6316 Phone
202-225-4975 Fax |
In Albuquerque
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM
87102
505-346-6781 Phone
505-346-6723 Fax |  |
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Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico
Home » Word-duh » Wilson Named Conferee for Defe... » Wilson Works to Increase Water... » Wilson Supports Bingaman Domen... » A True American Hero » Fliers Ready, Passports Aren`t » STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE HE... » Medicare Change Helps New Mexi... » Wilson Announces Possible Vet ... » Energy & Commerce Committee Pa... » Baca Ranch Sale is Official » KIRTLAND TAPPED FOR MAJOR NEW ... » E-Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue ... » Wilson Calls on Secretary Nort... » Wilson Touts NM Homeland Secur... » E-Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue ... » Rep. Wilson Wants to Improve T... » E-Newsletter, Volume 5, Issue ... » Wilson Appointed to House Page... » Placitas Library Gets $350K » Wilson Announces Federal Funds... » Thanking Our Troops » The Great American Jobs Machin... » Wilson Welcomes Next Step in I... » A bracelet and a simple questi... » Wilson Nails the E-mails » How you can help ... » Wilson Announces Federal Fundi... » Wilson Introduces Legislation ... » Wilson Statement on Iraq Suppl... » Wilson Added to Commerce Healt... » Wilson Supports Veterans And H... » Resources for Veterans » Kirtland AFB Hosts Successful ... » Wilson Announces Hearing on ‘S... » Wilson Announces Over $79,000 ... » Wilson Urges Stronger Federal ... » E-Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 6 » Wilson Opposes Union-Only Labo... » E-Newsletter, Volume 5, Issue ... » Wilson: Congress Should Heed G... » Wilson’s Spam Act Passes Overw... » Wilson: Don`t Charge Parents ... » New Mexico Students Can Reach ... » Wilson Votes to Create Jobs an... » Wilson Working to Raise Profil... » Wilson Introduces NM Aquifer A... » Wilson Applauds Deal to Purcha... » Bill to Protect N.M. Land Goes... » E-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 7 » Jobs, schools, health care fac... » We`re Back! » Wilson: House Passes Comprehen... » Wilson: Albuquerque Companies ... » ‘Scooby’s Bill’ Gets Hearing i... » Recriminations on Capitol Hill... » Wilson Opposes Bush Administra... » Statement on Colin McMillan`s ... » Wilson Works to Raise Profile ... » State of the District » E-Newsletter Volume 6 Issue 58 » A woman`s place is in... » E-Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue ... » E-Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 28 » Facing Challenges Together » Home Heating Help » Wilson: LANL Has Long Road to ... » Adding Prescription Drugs to M... » Wilson Encourages Cuomo To Rel... » Border Patrol Job Fair » E-Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue ... » Wilson Asks DOE to Release Oil... » E-Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 10 » Wilson demands answer from Edu... » Welcome Home » Wilson Statement regarding res... » Wilson Attaches Amendment to P... » Wilson Votes to Override Veto ... » Wilson Opposes Troop Increase » E-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 9 » E-Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 7 » E-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 6 » Wilson touts education bill be... » E-Newsletter Vol 1 Issue 8 » E-Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue ... » Wilson Supported TB Bill Passe... » Iraq
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| Iraq |
January 22, 2003 |
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Dear Friends,
I saw a friend from Barelas outside the bank this morning. The last time I saw him was at memorial services for Medal of Honor winner Richard Rocco at Sacred Heart Church. He was wearing his Army uniform that day. An Army reservist, he told me he has been alerted and expects to get orders to go on active duty any day now.
Units from Holloman and Kirtland have also gotten preliminary orders or have already shipped out, as have reservists and guardsmen across the state. Monday night at a town hall meeting at West Mesa High School, people wanted to know about Iraq. They wanted to know whether I thought we would be going to war.
The evidence that Iraq has and is further developing weapons of mass destruction is convincing. Iraq has chemical and biological weapons including mustard gas, sarin nerve gas and anthrax. We believe Iraq may have other deadly diseases and are making them into weapons. Iraq had an advanced nuclear weapons program before the Gulf War and is seeking to develop nuclear weapons again.
Saddam Hussein’s intent is more difficult to discern. I believe the evidence of his ultimate intent to use these weapons or cause them to be used against the American people is strong enough that we cannot afford to ignore it. Iraq is developing missiles that can hit neighboring states and is building unmanned aerial vehicles to spread chemical and biological agents. I am concerned that Iraq is exploring ways to use these aerial vehicles for missions targeting the United States.
Over the last year our military forces have been at increased operational tempo fighting a war in Afghanistan and defending the homeland. While Saddam’s forces are considerably smaller than they were during the Gulf War, so are ours. I have been repeatedly assured by our military commanders and our civilian defense leadership that we have the forces, munitions, logistics, communications systems, spare parts, and the people it will take to prevail. They are trained and combat readiness levels are restored or being restored. I have been assured that if we have to act, we will act with the full power of the U.S. military, giving them the force necessary to win and come home again.
The Congress authorizes the President to use force if all other means fail. We do not command the military or instruct the diplomats. I hope that, faced with the military might of a united coalition led by the United States, Saddam will choose to end his nuclear, chemical and biological weapons program and will disarm. I hope this will not require military action, but it may.
People who have served in uniform are often the most reluctant to go to war - and I am no exception to that general rule. We know the risks; we know the limitations; and we know many of the likely participants. There are great risks in this potential action. But those risks will not diminish over time. And there are also great risks of inaction.
We did not choose this challenge. But, faced with it, we cannot turn away.
Good to be home,
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