Boehner's Closing Speech

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Congressman John Boehner (R-OH) delivered closing remarks on the Iraq resolution brought to the floor by House Democrats. Below are Boehner’s remarks as prepared:

“I thank the Gentleman for yielding and for the opportunity to speak once again on the task we face as a nation. The resolution before us is non-binding. But it is a first step down a treacherous path – a path that, if followed, will endanger Americans for generations to come.

“Iraq is the central front in a global war between the United States of America and radical Islamic terrorists – a war that began long before the horrific events of 9/11 – a war the American people did not seek, and did not start. It is mind-boggling to consider how fanatically committed our enemies are to destroying America , even at the cost of destroying themselves in the process. Our enemies recruit young people, fill them with hate and rage, and then send them on suicide missions to kill innocent victims. We face an enemy who loves death more than life.

“As Americans, we cherish freedom and democracy. Ours is a way of life. Theirs is a way of death…of murder…of suicide. The global reach of radical Islam stretches from North Africa, through the Middle East to South Asia, to Indonesia , and to the Philippines.

“The other side wants Americans to believe the war in Iraq is separate from the war on terror. They even say we’re not fighting al-Qaeda in Iraq , ignoring the fact that al-Qaeda has made it the central front in their war against Western Civilization. According to the experts – and according to their own words –radical Islamic terrorists will never stop fighting until much of the world is under Islamic law.

“In 2004, Osama bin Laden said the following about the conflict in Iraq : ‘The whole world is watching this war and the two adversaries; the Islamic nation…and the United States and its allies on the other. It is either victory and glory or misery and humiliation.’

“And our enemies are watching this debate. Through the Arab media we know what they’re saying. Recently the second in command of al-Qaeda issued a warning to moderate Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan who are working and dying to build peace and security. He said, and I quote: ‘These traitors in Iraq and Afghanistan must face their inevitable fate, and face up to the inescapable facts. America …is about to depart and abandon them, just as it abandoned their like in Vietnam .’

“The consequences of failure in Iraq would be catastrophic for America and the world. Last month General Petraeus spoke of the very real possibility of Iraq ’s neighbors taking sides in sectarian violence. Failing in Iraq would jeopardize Israel and greatly benefit Iran , a nation governed by a fanatic and actively building nuclear weapons.

“The battle we fight in Iraq is the biggest part of a global war. If we leave, the fight will follow us home. And what we’ll leave behind will be chaos – the same kind of chaos we left behind in Vietnam , Lebanon , and Somalia .

“As Americans we’re fortunate in so many ways. We have so many blessings including a great and proud history to inspire us.

“Earlier this week I talked about President Lincoln and the challenges he faced during some of America ’s darkest days. During the Revolution, America faced down what was then the most powerful empire in the world with a rag-tag army. We survived a Civil War that would have permanently divided any other nation.

“After a crippling depression in the 1930s we defeated Japanese imperialism on one side of the globe and Hitler’s Germany on the other. We then defeated Soviet Communism in a test of wills that lasted a generation.

“The greatness of America is exemplified in a simple, short letter about duty and sacrifice. The letter was written by a Marine, Staff Sergeant Daniel Clay, husband of my former staffer, Lisa Bell Clay. Sergeant Clay was one of 10 Marines killed in Fallujah a little over a year ago. He left behind a letter to his family to be read in case of his death. In it, he said: ‘What we have done in Iraq is worth any sacrifice. Why? Because it was our duty. That sounds simple. But all of us have a duty. Duty is defined as a God given task. Without duty life is worthless.’

“Our troops are not the only Americans who have a God-given task. If a non-commissioned officer can understand his duty, then certainly Members of Congress should understand theirs.

“Congress has a duty to protect the American people now, so the next generation can enjoy prosperity and freedom. Congress also has a duty to our men and women in uniform when we send them into harm’s way – a duty to provide them with the full support and resources they need to accomplish their mission and return home safely.

“My friends on the other side have described this non-binding resolution as a ‘first step.’ It IS a first step. It’s the first step in a plan to cut off funding and reinforcements for American troops in harm’s way.

“The next step is to micromanage the war through the budget process. To quote the gentleman from Pennsylvania , Mr. Murtha, who said yesterday: ‘They won't be able to continue. They won't be able to do the deployment. They won't have the equipment, they don't have the training and they won't be able to do the work..’

“Madame Speaker, at this very moment, American troops are fighting radical Islamic terrorists thousands of miles away. It is unthinkable that United States Congress would move to discredit their mission, cut off their reinforcements, and deny them the resources they need to succeed and return home safely.

“The American people will not support a strategy that involves pulling the rug out from under American troops in the combat zone by cutting off their reinforcements and forcing them to face the enemy without our full support.

“This resolution is non-binding, but it is a first step toward that tragic, unthinkable goal.

“Four years ago this body agreed that fighting this war was a worthy cause.

“There have been setbacks and Members on both sides are rightly dissatisfied with the results. But this is a war. We face a sophisticated, determined enemy who wants to annihilate our way of life.

“We have a duty to stand and fight against those who seek to destroy America and the freedom that defines us. Our troops are committed to fighting and winning this global war. We owe them our unfailing support.

“I urge my colleagues to stand with the Marines and the soldiers, the sailors and the airmen, and vote down this resolution. I urge my colleagues to think about our duty: our duty to support our troops; our duty to protect the American people; and the duty to leave for our kids and theirs a safe, secure, and free country.

“Our soldiers are dying to protect us – upholding their duty. Do we have the courage to uphold OUR duty?

“Vote no on this resolution.”