Boehner Delivers Remarks to American Legion

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today delivered remarks to the American Legion as part of their 48th National Washington Conference. The speech focused on the Global War on Terror as well as important issues facing America ’s troops, veterans and their families. Following are Boehner’s remarks as prepared:

“I’m privileged to have the chance to speak to you today. On behalf of all the members of the House Republican Conference, welcome to Our Nation’s Capitol. There are many ways for Americans to serve their country, but there’s no form of public service more noble than service in the United States armed forces. Thank you for the service you’ve given, and continue to give, to our country.

“Elected officials in the United States have many responsibilities. But they have no responsibility more important than honoring and protecting the men and women who wear the uniform of our military. Our nation is founded on freedom. If we fail to honor those who defend and sacrifice for our freedom, our freedom will not endure. And our nation will not survive.

“There is a Latin phrase I’m fond of: ‘Facta, Non Verba.’ In English, it means ‘Deeds, Not Words.’ Members of Congress would do well to remember this phrase in the weeks ahead as we begin policy debates that affect our troops and veterans. It isn’t enough to simply say we support our troops and veterans. What matters is that we prove it through our actions.

“How do we prove it? There are many ways we can prove it. Let me submit a few for your consideration. We honor our troops by honoring what they fight for and giving them the every tool they need to succeed in their mission. We honor our troops and veterans by ensuring their sacrifices are made for a victorious cause. We honor our troops by ensuring they’re greeted with open arms and the enduring gratitude of a nation when they come home and return to civilian life. These are the things I’m going to touch on today.”

HONORING WHAT THEY FIGHT FOR

“Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are fighting to make every American safe. They are fighting a vicious, bloodthirsty enemy. Some in Washington spread the myth that al-Qaeda in Iraq is not the same terrorist organization that attacked the U.S. on 9/11. This is false – and perpetuating this myth diminishes the cause for which our troops are fighting and giving their lives.

“Al-Qaeda in Iraq is an organization of terrorists – led by international terrorists from outside of Iraq – who have pledged their allegiance to Osama bin Laden and vowed to ‘follow his orders in jihad.’ Al-Qaeda in Iraq is not a homegrown organization of Iraqi Sunnis. It was founded, and IS led by, international terrorists from places such as Jordan , Syria , and Egypt who report directly to bin Laden. According to U.S. Major General Kevin Bergner, ‘there is clear connection between al Qaeda in Iraq and al Qaeda senior leadership outside Iraq .’ The leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq have gone to great lengths to pretend they’re homegrown, even creating a fictitious character to pose as their leader and hiring an actor to portray him in audio recordings.

“Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are driven by exactly the same thing that drove American soldiers in the Revolutionary War more than 230 years ago: a love of freedom, and a desire to protect their families and neighbors and the country they love. They volunteered to serve. They believe in their cause. They’re heroes. They’re doing an outstanding job. Our nation owes them its unequivocal, unflinching, unapologetic support – and it shouldn’t be shaped by election-year politics.”

THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE

“This is an election year, and that means promises are being made to win votes. Case in point: some of the presidential candidates are promising immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces in January 2009. Surrender is not an option – and even the presidential candidates talking about it know it. The war is winnable. The success of the surge – which Sen. McCain supported all along – proves it. And the consequences of failure would be devastating.

“Some of my colleagues have stopped talking about the surge, and starting talking instead about the ‘economic cost’ of the war against al-Qaeda in Iraq . This is the new rationale for retreat: we should surrender to al-Qaeda in Iraq , because it would be good for our economy.

“There certainly HAS been a cost to this war, and it is a human cost that dwarfs any economic cost. The life of every American soldier is a precious, precious gift – and we have paid that cost dearly, in the form of 4,000 brave American lives. These Americans did NOT die in vain. They died for freedom. They died to liberate an oppressed people. They died to protect the people of the United States of America against an enemy whose ultimate goal is the destruction of innocent American lives. To suggest America should now abandon the cause for which these 4,000 Americans fought and died – instead of finishing the job and ensuring our troops return on success – shows disrespect for the sacrifices our troops and their families have made for five long years.

“The notion that surrender in Iraq would be good for our economy is also debunked by history. Does everyone remember the economic boom we experienced in the 1970s when politicians overruled our military commanders, and withdrew American forces from Vietnam ? Of course not, because there was no boom. If anything, most Americans remember the post-Vietnam years as a time of economic turmoil – rising prices, declining job growth, and a general feeling of ‘malaise.’ Success in Iraq is our only viable option.”

GIVING OUR TROOPS THE RESOURCES TO SUCCEED

“Next week, General David Petraeus will return to Capitol Hill to report to Congress on the progress and way ahead in Iraq . Some of my colleagues have pointed to a ‘recent uptick in violence’ in Iraq . Didn’t the same thing happen right before General Petraeus’ last trip to Capitol Hill?

“The surge has been a clear success. But as Gen. Petraeus recently said, al-Qaeda remains a dangerous enemy in Iraq . We have to continue to pursue the terrorists until they’re permanently defeated. The General says we have to continue to build on what’s been accomplished, so the Iraqis can make political reconciliations and provide basic services to their citizens. He’s asked Congress to send him the resources needed to finish the job.

“I expect President Bush will endorse the General’s request. And the Congress needs to act on it without delay. Our troops need these resources to succeed in their mission and return on success.

“There will be politicians who view the troop funding bill as an opportunity for pork-barrel spending. Remember last year, when some in Congress tried to load the troop funding bill with money for spinach, peanut farmers, and tropical fish? They’ll be back. This bill is for the troops. It’s about keeping our troops and our nation safe. We shouldn’t pork it up.”

ENDURING GRATITUDE FOR OUR TROOPS & VETERANS

“The success of the Petraeus strategy has allowed us to begin bringing some troops home. More than 20,000 of our troops are already coming home. One Army brigade combat team and a Marine Expeditionary Unit have already redeployed, and will not be replaced. Another Army brigade is redeploying now, and will not be replaced. And in the coming months, three additional brigades and two Marine battalions will be redeployed.

“Instead of talking about retreat, we should be putting our energy into making sure these men and women return home to the loving arms of the nation they left – and making certain ALL our veterans feel the enduring gratitude of those they fought to protect. This is why the Republican budget for the coming fiscal year provided $49.2 billion for veterans’ health care in fiscal year 2009 – $1 billion more than the Democratic budget. Unfortunately, the Republican budget was defeated.

“My hope is this doesn’t signal a return to the record we saw under the last Democratic majority in Congress. From 1965 to 1995, total annual veterans’ spending in constant dollars only grew an average of under 2 percent. By contrast, the veterans’ budget has increased 94% since 1995, the year Republicans became the majority. The veterans medical care budget also increased nearly 90% in the same period.

“We also need to strengthen and modernize the GI Bill. I’m hopeful both sides of the aisle can work together to craft a new GI Bill that reflects the changed world we live in. The American Legion was the driving force behind the original GI Bill during World War II, and I know we can count on the Legion to advocate today for a program that meets today’s needs.

“Thank you for the privilege of addressing you today. And again, on behalf of House Republicans and the millions of Americans we serve, thank you for what you’ve done for our country.”