Rep. Grijalva Remarks on Iraq Resolution

[Kali]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2007

Rep. Grijalva Remarks on Iraq Resolution

Washington, D.C.-- Representative Raúl M. Grijalva
spoke on the House floor this evening concerning
H.Con.Res 63, the Iraq resolution that expresses
support for our troops and opposition to the
President's proposal to escalate the war in Iraq.

He releases the following statement:

“I will not spend time assessing blame and
responsibility for the quagmire that our nation finds
itself in, in Iraq. But I do find it curious that the
opponents of this resolution want
us to believe that
the history of the Iraq War begins today. That it has
no past – only a doubtful future.

“This head in the sand attitude, while politically
expedient, denies reality and truth. Rest assured that
history and fact will not be kind to the
decision-makers and deciders of this war. Nor will it
be kind to a Congress that looked the other way.

“The resolution before us today is a first, tentative
step toward the removal of our troops from Iraq. The
escalation proposed for Iraq is another desperate act
opposed by the American people and former military
leaders.

“This resolution does not demoralize our troops or
embolden the insurgents. This resolution offers hope
to our troops that an end is in sight and that their
elected representatives are not passing on their
authority regarding the most important issue
confronting our nation today.

“I personally know families whose loved ones have
been
lost, badly injured or profoundly and tangibly
affected by this war. Our commitment should be to
those families and veterans who need the full measure
of our support. Our gratitude should be measured in
real resources for veterans and not empty platitudes
and political rhetoric expounded to justify the
irreparable failures of policy in Iraq.

“The focus of this debate is not centered on our
soldiers who are nobly doing their duty and following
their orders. It is directed at those who set policy
and who have produced a war without end, with no plan
for success or exit, with no international strategy,
and who now turn to a desperate and doomed escalation
that only reinforces the failure and desperation of
those policy makers.

“The civil war in Iraq will not end with the influx of
more American troops.

“I believe this resolution should have teeth – we must
send a message that binds all of us to real
action, an
unflinching message of opposition to the escalation
and a message of support for our troops. Today marks a
step in that direction.

“How many more ways can the American people tell this
Congress to act to prevent more loss of our blood and
treasure in this war in Iraq?

Weren’t the recent elections a strong message?

Isn’t the loss of confidence by the public in their
elected leaders a strong message?

Isn’t the sacrifice and valor of our men and women
fighting this war deserving of the respect of our
government?

Don’t we have a duty to protect them, reunite them
with their families immediately and, share the truth
with them that the question is no longer if we get out
of Iraq, but how and when?

“For me and for many of their families, the sooner the
better.

“I could stand here before you and recite, one by one,
all the polls that tell us about the public’s
overwhelming
opposition to this war and the even
stronger opposition to this escalation, but as I think
about it, the most important poll for us who serve in
Congress must be our conscience.

“This resolution before us is simple and direct. It
speaks, in a very clear way, to the frustration we all
feel with this misadventure in Iraq.

“I said I would not belabor the question of who is to
blame, but I must address the obvious:

Weapons of mass destruction – None Found

Links of Iraq to 911 – didn’t exist

Misspent funds in Iraq – Ignored

Mission Accomplished – premature political propaganda

Strategy for Iraq – Non-Existent

Funds for Education, Health Care, Our Towns and Cities
and Investments in Our People – Spent in Iraq

“The litany of failures and untruths goes on and on.

“The lack of leadership by this administration
requires – no, demands – that this Congress assert its
Constitutional duty,
to check and balance this
Administration and to respond to the crisis in Iraq
with purpose and resolve.

“This resolution is one step in what I hope is a rapid
process by Congress to bring the debacle in Iraq to an
end.

“I urge my colleagues to support H Res 63, and also to
support H.R. 508 – The Bring Our Troops Home and Iraq
Sovereignty Restoration Act.”