(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to support our troops and oppose the President’s decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional combat troops in Iraq.  Rep. Al Green stated that no amount of money and not even the most powerful military in the universe could create a free and independent Iraq unless the Iraqi people themselves seized the opportunity to do so.  He also stated that our troops could stay in Iraq forever and never have a free and independent Iraq as long as the Iraqi people were engaging in an “uncivil war” against each other.  Rep. Al Green voted in favor of H.Con.Res. 63, which passed the House by a vote of 246-182.

The entirety of Congressman Al Green’s text is below.

Statement by Congressman Al Green
In Support of H.Con.Res. 63
Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq

Mr. Speaker, I love America. America means something to me. No one loves the Constitution more than I. No one believes in the Declaration of Independence more than I. No one respects the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance more than I.

So, I stand here in the well of the U. S. House of Representatives as a proud American who understands that it’s not the Constitution that protects government of the people, by the people and for the people – it’s the soldier. It’s not the Declaration of Independence that defends our concept of all persons being created equal – it’s the soldier. It’s not the Pledge of Allegiance that preserves liberty and justice for all – it’s the soldier. It’s the soldier who shields those who would make real the great American ideals. And regardless as to how we feel about the war, we ought to thank God for the American soldier.

Our soldiers have done their jobs. More than 84,000 National Guard and Reservists have been deployed more than once since 2001. More than 170,000 soldiers in the Army have served more than one tour of duty. More than 23,000 soldiers have been wounded in action – more than 2,200 soldiers from Texas. More than 3,100 soldiers have given their lives – including 200 from Texas.

Our soldiers have liberated the Iraqi people from the ruthless, brutal dictator. Our soldiers answered the clarion call for help, and as a result too many won’t be home for the holidays and far too many will never see home again. God bless the American soldiers as well as their friends, their families and their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, the American people have been that friend indeed during Iraq’s time of need.  In addition to blood, sweat and tears, the American people have spent more than 267 million dollars – not per year, not per month, but 267 million dollars per day on the war.

Mr. Speaker, with this money, we could have hired 6.4 million public school teachers. We could have built 3.3 million public housing units. We could have provided 17.8 million 4-year college scholarships. We could have insured 220 million children for one year.

And, at a more lofty level, America has helped the Iraqis develop a Constitution. We’ve helped the Iraqis establish democratic elections. We’ve helped the Iraqis reconstitute their military and overhaul their constabulary.

Mr. Speaker, after all we’ve done, whenever we leave, it won’t be cut and run.  We’ve helped the Iraqi people have the opportunity to embrace freedom and democracy. It’s now time for the Iraqi people to seize upon this precious, priceless opportunity and have a free and independent Iraq – something all the money in the world can’t buy – and not even the most powerful military in the universe can impose.

Mr. Speaker, we can’t want liberty and justice for all Iraqis more than all Iraqis want liberty and justice for themselves. If Iraqis want government of the people, by the people and for the people, their soldiers, not ours, must provide it. We can stay in Iraq forever and never have a free and independent Iraq – as long as the Iraqi people engage in an uncivil war against each other.

Mr. Speaker, because I support our soldiers, and oppose the President’s policy, I will vote for the resolution.