US Fed News

June 16, 2006 Friday 3:03 AM EST

REP. KNOLLENBERG ISSUES STATEMENT ON IRAQ RESOLUTION

BYLINE: US Fed News

LENGTH: 364 words

DATELINE: WASHINGTON Rep. JoeKnollenberg, R-Mich. (9th CD), issued the following statement:

The U.S. House today passed a resolution to reaffirm the War in Iraq and the global war on terrorism. The resolution states that the United States must complete "the mission to create a sovereign, free, secure and united Iraq " without setting "an arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment" of U.S. troops. Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R/MI-09) made the following statement in support of the resolution:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution before us and want to convey a simple message: we must stay the course. At this crucial point in our history, it is unacceptable to enact a policy of passivity, resignation, or defeatism in the face of terror.

Some say that we should surrender and pull out. They may think that this will win votes and that it is good politics? but it is devastating policy. It is essential that we continue the fight in Iraq , so that the fight does not come to our backyards.

Make no mistake, we did not choose Iraq as the frontline on the War on Terror. Al-Qaeda has done that. But we must have that fight over there, so we do not have to have it here.

It takes time, will, patience, and perseverance to transition a country once ruled by a tyrannical despot. Terrorists who seek to eliminate anyone that provides hope for the future have infested Iraq , but they will not succeed. The Iraqi people are committed to freeing their country from these fanatical invaders, and we are too.

Like many of my colleagues, I have visited Iraq and seen first hand the revit ali zation of the country. The men and women of our Armed Forces are fighting terrorists who are trying to claim Iraq for their own. Without their valor and dedication, the progress made in Iraq would not be possible.

And there has been great progress in Iraq . The Iraqi people are moving forward with a democratic government that is transparent and responsive to its citizens.
Mr. Speaker, the resolve of the United States should never be questioned. The world must know that the United States finishes what it starts. We will win the fight against global terrorism, including in Iraq ."