JOINS IN APPROVING RESOLUTION DECLARING THAT THE UNITED STATES MUST PREVAIL IN THE STRUGGLE WITH TERROR

Washington, Jun 16, 2006 - "Our forces have not failed or faltered in the War on Terror, and we must support their mission to a successful conclusion," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  "Iraq is the central front in the overall Global War on Terrorism.  An immediate withdrawal would merely embolden our terrorist enemies and lead to open season on America and our allies.  We cannot allow this to happen.  We must prevail in Iraq.  The stakes are too high to fail."

Stearns also referred to the recent death of al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, al Zarqawi.  "Our forces brought justice to this butcher and recent intelligence indicates that the terrorist forces realize they are losing in Iraq," added Stearns.  "In addition, Iraq's National Security Adviser, Mouwafak al-Rubaie, believes that this is the beginning of the end of al Qaeda in Iraq.  That may be premature, but it shows that we and our allies are making steady progress."

Stearns joined the House in approving H.Res. 861, a resolution declaring that "the United States will prevail in the Global War on Terror."  H.Res. 861 states, among other things, that:

* It is essential to the security of the American people and to world security that the United States, together with its allies, take the battle to the terrorists and to those who provide them assistance.
* The steadfast resolve of the United States and its partners since September 11, 2001, helped persuade the government of Libya to surrender its weapons of mass destruction.
* It is not in the national security interest of the United States to set an arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq.