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July 26, 2005
Dear XXXXXX:
Thank you for contacting me regarding H.J. Res. 55, the
"Withdrawal of United States Armed Forces From Iraq Resolution of
2005 - Homeward Bound." I appreciate hearing your questions on the
matter as they better enable me to serve my district.
H.J. Res. 55 is a joint resolution introduced by Representative
Abercrombie (D - HI), Representative Jones (R - NC), Representative
Kucinich (D - OH), Representative Paul (R - TX), Representative
Meehan (D - MA), Representative Woosley (D - CA), and
Representative Lee (D - TX). This resolution calls on the President to
announce no later than December 31, 2005 a plan for troop withdrawal
from Iraq, and to initiate a withdrawal no later than October 1, 2006.
The Iraqi war has placed significant strains on the United States
Armed Forces, both active duty and reserves, over 1,700 soldiers have
died fighting so that the people of Iraq can be free. Our troops have
served with honor, courage, and distinction and they deserve to be
brought home as quickly as possible. However, I am not prepared to
support this resolution at this time. I voted against the authorization of
force when it was originally brought to the Congress. I also voted
against the initial $87 billion blank check request to supplement the war.
I believed, and still believe, that the war in Iraq was a mistake and its
execution has been badly planned. Yet, I also believe that setting
artificial timetables for the withdrawal of our soldiers is as misguided as
the President's artificial timetables for the training of an Iraqi army and
the creation of an Iraqi constitutional democracy.
I think a public timetable regrettably would lead to, not only the
death of more US soldiers, but also more killing of innocent Iraqis. The
Iraqi government and the International Red Crescent recently announced
that 12,000 Iraqis were the victims of insurgent and terrorist attacks. If
the most effective fighting and policing force were removed before Iraqi
troops could take command of the situation, I fear thousands more would
die. That is not to say we should pour resources into Iraq forever, but
that we should realize that in the midst of all this bloodshed, American
soldiers might be saving the lives of more innocent Iraqis than if they
were removed.
Additionally, if the Administration offered a withdrawal plan it
would have to be made public. I do not believe a Congressionally-
approved, media-dissected plan is safe for our troops or for the Iraqis. It
would provide the ruthless insurgents with ample intelligence
opportunities and further endanger the lives of American soldiers and
Iraqis alike.
Our men and women in uniform have performed bravely in the
face of danger on the ground, often handicapped by political leadership
in the Administration that hasn't always provided them with the support
they need and deserve. But they have sacrificed more than anyone could
fairly ask of them. I hope that the cruel and viscous insurgency will be
extinguished, and that no more marketplaces, schools, police stations,
and even funerals and weddings are targets of their disgusting war
against Iraqi civilians. I am realistic that this will take time, much longer
than the President is willing to admit; however, I hope that our brave
men and women will soon be able to come home safely, with honor,
dignity, and success.
Again, thank you for being in touch. For news on current federal
legislative issues, please visit my website at www.house.gov/dingell; you
can also sign up there to receive my e-newsletter. In the meantime,
please do not hesitate to contact me again if I may be of assistance with
this or any other matter of concern.
With every good wish,
Sincerely yours,
John D. Dingell
Member of Congress
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