H6076 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 5, 2002 (Ms. NORTON addressed the House. resolution to the Middle East conflict. verse groups of constituents, a lot Her remarks will appear hereafter in It would also inflame anti-American more questions than certainty about the Extensions of Remarks.) sentiment in the region. Diplomacy the President’s position on Iraq. In f and coalition building aside, the mili- fact, there is a great deal of misgiving tary challenges of war and especially in my district, as I believe there is IRAQ its aftermath in Iraq are still quite for- abroad in the land. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a midable. Iraq, like Afghanistan, is a The gentleman who preceded me previous order of the House, the gen- multi-ethnic, multi-cultural nation made an eloquent case on a number of tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. with no apparent popularly supported points, and I will not repeat those but MCGOVERN) is recognized for 5 minutes. opposition. Armed paramilitary and I will emphasize a few others. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, during clandestine organizations opposed to a I am today sending a letter, along the August recess, I had the oppor- U.S.-led occupation of Iraq are likely with 17 other Members of Congress, to tunity to meet with a number of my to engage in guerrilla attacks against the President. We are pleased that the constituents from all walks of life and American soldiers. Internal strife and President has now recognized the con- hear what was on their mind. The ques- even civil and ethnic war are even stitutional authority of the Congress tion that came up over and over was more likely. Experts on Iraq from both to declare war and about the fact that are we going to invade Iraq and, if we prior Republican and Democrat admin- he will come to Congress for approval were, what did that mean? How many istrations have indicated that it could for a war against Iraq. troops would it take? Would we have to take a decade or more of U.S. troops At this point, I would venture and attack civilian centers? How long occupying Iraq before it is stable once hope that Congress would not be will- ing to grant such approval to the Presi- would we have to stay in Iraq? Would more. our allies join us? How much would it I will listen closely to the speech dent, given the lack of specificity and cost? Who would rule Iraq after we in- that President Bush will deliver next the many questions that need to be an- vaded? How would this affect our ef- week at the United Nations. I welcome swered. Among the questions that need to be forts in Afghanistan? How would this the fact that the administration has affect our efforts to promote peace in answered are the following: decided to reach out to our allies and What is the threat posed by Saddam the Middle East? to work with the United Nations on I have thought long and hard about Hussein to the United States? this matter. The President has also UNSCOM said they destroyed 90 to 95 this matter as I am sure all of my col- made the right decision to come before leagues have. I believe the questions percent of their weapons of mass de- Congress and seek specific authoriza- struction. Is there convincing evidence my constituents have raised are legiti- tion for any military action in Iraq. of renewed production of chemical and mate and require genuine and detailed Many questions remain to be answered biological weapons? Is there evidence replies. I also believe that as a Member before deciding how best to prevent the that Iraq has successfully produced a of this body, I need to know in very regime of Saddam Hussein from devel- nuclear weapon? Is there evidence Iraq specific detail how the United States oping or deploying offensive weapons has produced a reliable delivery system will find and allocate the necessary re- against other nations. for weapons of mass destruction? sources for such a venture without In the meantime the U.S. and the Are there new developments that jeopardizing our current priorities in international community must con- mean Iraq poses an imminent threat to Afghanistan and the Middle East. tinue to put maximum pressure on the the United States, and therefore re- Dismantling and destroying the al Iraqi regime and press for resumption quires immediate attention? A year Qaeda terrorist network and stabilizing of unconditional international weapons ago, the administration did not seem and restoring a functioning representa- inspections. The President should con- to think that. What has changed in tive government in Afghanistan are top tinue to work through the United Na- that intervening time? If not, would a priorities for U.S. policy. tions Security Council, and the U.S. policy of enforcing no-fly zones, vig- We are a long way from achieving should exercise restraint and continue orous weapons inspections, military these goals. Known al Qaeda and to build an international coalition, in- sanctions be effective in containing Taliban fighters continue to operate in cluding Arab nations, dedicated to and/or reducing the perceived threat, parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. completing the job in Afghanistan and given the success of such strategies Other top al Qaeda leaders are known willing to work jointly for more genu- over the last decade? to be in Iran. Al Qaeda funds have been inely representative government in Is there any convincing evidence that relocated to Sudan. The task of cre- Baghdad. Iraq planned, authorized, committed, ating a stable post-conflict government Mr. Speaker, in conclusion let me or aided the terrorist attacks that oc- in Afghanistan has barely begun, and just say that I am deeply concerned curred on September 11, or harbored warlords are reasserting their hold with the policy that the administra- such organizations or persons? That over former territory. Development aid tion has articulated thus far on Iraq. It would give some authority to act with- has been slow to arrive and even slower will take a far more compelling presen- out a specific grant from Congress, but to take effect, and most is unable to tation to convince me and many of my the administration has not made that reach very far beyond Kabul. constituents that war is the right and case. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that it will only course remaining for the United Is there convincing evidence that take years for Afghanistan to become States to take in Iraq. Iraq has shared its knowledge of bio- truly stable and able to meet the needs f logical, chemical, or nuclear weapons, of its own people, but right now the or the weapons themselves, with other country is already beginning to slip SEPTEMBER 5, 2002, LETTER TO nations or terrorist organizations? How backward. It is imperative that we stay PRESIDENT BUSH REGARDING does the threat of Iraq doing so com- the course and succeed in Afghanistan, IRAQ pare with the threat posed by Iran, and it will cost the United States a The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pakistan, China, North Korea, or a great deal in time, personnel, effort, JEFF MILLER of Florida). Under a pre- number of other nations that are and money. vious order of the House, the gen- known to possess weapons of mass de- Completing the mission in Afghani- tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is struction, some of whom are known to stan requires holding together the recognized for 5 minutes. be sharing and selling such informa- international coalition Washington as- Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I, too, tion? sembled following the September 11 at- just returned from a month in my dis- How does the administration intend tacks. War in Iraq, especially any uni- trict, and spent a good deal of time to assure Iraq does not become balkan- lateral action, would almost certainly traveling the district and talking with ized? This was the problem that was shatter that coalition and alienate sig- my constituents. I have a district that confronted by Colin Powell and the fa- nificant partners. A unilateral U.S. in- in fact voted in the majority for ther of President Bush when they de- vasion of Iraq will make it difficult to George Bush, and yet, I found, widely cided not to go to Baghdad, as they get Arab support for a fair and lasting traveling my district, talking to di- said at the time.

VerDate Aug 23 2002 23:45 Sep 05, 2002 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05SE7.034 H05PT1 September 5, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6077 Will Iraq become balkanized? If it Time Magazine by Patti Davis, Presi- are frequently such deep wells, I have to look does, what happens with Turkey? What dent Ronald Reagan’s daughter, dis- away. A 50-year marriage is full of intimate happens with the Kurds wanting their cussing her family’s battle with Alz- memories that live in the blood of lovers and own nation? What happens with the heimer’s. I include that for the life partners—memories that are both bene- diction and punishment. So much life has Shi’as in Iran? What happens with the RECORD. been shared, and so much has been lost. long-term prospects for the governance The article referred to is as follows: I could tell you that I don’t fear getting of Iraq itself? [From Time, Aug. 26, 2002] the disease myself because I know how toxic I witnessed a Republican Senator THE FACES OF ALZHEIMER’S fear is, how paralyzing. But in the next saying we were going to rule Iraq. The (By Patti Davis) breath I would have to tell you that there are late hours of the night when I lie awake United States of America is going to WE LEARN ABOUT THE DISEASE BY LOOKING INTO and wonder what fate has in store for me. rule Iraq alone, without allies? Has THE EYES OF VICTIMS—AND THEIR FAMILIES At other times, I study photographs of my anybody really thought about what The day after the first anniversary of my father from many years ago, or film clips. I that would mean? sister Maureen Reagan’s death, Charlton don’t want to forget how his eyes used to What are the potential disruptions to Heston announced that he had been diag- look. Alzheimer’s teaches a harsh lesson— the United States economy? We have nosed with ‘‘symptoms consistent with early that the past is like the rudder of a ship. It some problems here at home. I have a stages of Alzheimer’s.’’ Sometimes in life, keeps you moving through the present, lot of unemployed people in my dis- there are odd juxtapositions of events—an steers you into the future. Without it, with- trict, the highest unemployment rate interplay of circumstances that makes one out memory, you are unmoored, a wind- pause and wonder what forces are at work. in the Nation in my State. tossed boat with no anchor. You learn this This was one of those times for me. Maureen by watching someone you love drift away. What are the potential economic dis- was so committed to defeating the scourge of I woke last night and listened to the si- ruptions that might come from a war Alzheimer’s, to getting more funding for re- lence. It was a late, deep hour, long after with Iraq? Would it lead to a disruption search and increasing understanding of the midnight, long before dawn. I though about of oil supplies? Would it drive up the disease that she sometimes delayed her own how, for someone with Alzheimer’s, silence price of oil dramatically, as it did in treatment for the melanoma that eventually must be like a prison, another corner of the the last Gulf War? How much would killed her. wasteland. There can be nothing soothing or Maureen would have tirelessly done inter- serene about it. such a war cost the United States of views on Aug. 9; instead, her husband Dennis America and its taxpayers? What are Perhaps the next time members of Con- Revell spoke to the media, as did the actor gress assemble to decide how much money to the risks to our troops? What are the David Hyde Pierce, who lost both his grand- set aside for Alzheimer’s research, they risks in terms of a long-term occupa- father and his father to Alzheimer’s. My should be asked to listen to silence dif- tion? mother released a statement. Maureen’s ferently, as if it were a jail sentence. Maybe We have not yet resolved the situa- voice had been silenced, but her activism, then they would look into their hearts and tion or stabilized the situation in Af- her determination, were still present. know that if stopping a disease that is stalk- ghanistan, which is a country that had We learn about diseases through the faces ing so many is not a top priority, we have of those who are stricken. Famous faces gar- lost our collective heart as a nation. no discernible military, no weapons of ner the most attention, obviously. When we mass destruction. They did harbor ter- think of Alzheimer’s, my father’s face comes During the August recess, I had the rorists. It was a rogue regime. But yet, to mind. Or Iris Murdoch’s. And now opportunity to speak to the Houston the United States of America, with a Heston’s. When Parkinson’s is mentioned, we Alzheimer’s Association’s educational substantial number of allies around the picture Michael J. Fox or Muhammad Ali. symposium in Houston with Dr. Rachel world, has yet to bring settled condi- But there is another way that faces tell the Doody, who has a well-known research tions to that country. Yet, we are story. You have to lean closer, look carefully program at Baylor College of Medicine about to depart for a much larger na- into the eyes, study the set of the jaw and in the Texas Medical Center. The num- the tilt of the head. I recognized more than ber of people at that event, it amazed tion who has not been involved, as far the famous visage of Heston when I saw his as has been revealed to Congress or the taped announcement. I saw the first shallow me. It was the first time I had the op- people of the United States, in the at- waves of a cruel disease lapping at the edges portunity to address that group and see tacks upon our country, has not posed of the person he has always known himself how many people were interested. a credible threat to the United States to be. I recognized it because I saw the same The battle that we have affects far or our allies. However, we are off on look in my father’s eyes eight years ago. too many Americans. More than 4 mil- another adventure. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the eyes lion Americans, one in ten over 65 and have a wariness, a veil of fear. It’s as if the Is this left-over business from George nearly half those over 85, suffer from person is standing at the edge of a fog-bank, Alzheimer’s disease. With the aging Bush’s father’s administration? It knowing that in time it will engulf him and seems like a number of the most there is no chance of outrunning it. I used to baby boom population, unless a cure is hawkish people in his administration see my father’s eyes simultaneously plead found, 14 million Americans will have are people who served in his father’s and hold firm. It would happen when a sen- Alzheimer’s by 2050. administration, who still regret the tence broke off because he couldn’t remem- I personally have been touched by fact that they did not pursue the war ber how to finish it. Or when he would say, Alzheimer’s when my mother-in-law to an end then, and they want to re- ‘‘I have this condition—I keep forgetting was diagnosed with this disease several things.’’ He was on a high wire, balancing on visit the issue. years ago. I know firsthand the incred- courage, with the dark waters of fear below, ible toll Alzheimer’s has on not only Many questions need to be answered and he was using every bit of his strength to before this Congress should extend au- cling to that wire. that person, but also the family. As a thority to the President to wage a war Slowly—sometimes over months, some- family member, I know the heartache against Iraq, the first preemptive war times over years—the eyes stop pleading. of watching a vibrant and active and in the history of the United States of There is a resignation, an acceptance of dis- independent loved one become lost in a America. tance, strangeness, a life far from home. You world of confusion, isolation, and de- know the look when you see it, and the only f spair. I know the frustration that there mercy is that fear seems to have subsided. are so few treatments and no cure to ALZHEIMER’S The eyes of family members change too. My brother Ron’s eyes show the sweet sto- this disease. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a icism that men seem born to possess. But As a policymaker, I am concerned by previous order of the House, the gen- looking more intently, I see the bubble of the staggering economic burden of this tleman from Texas (Mr. GREEN) is rec- pain beneath the surface. A father’s helpless- illness. The U.S. society spends at least ognized for 5 minutes. ness has to tear at the fibers of a son’s heart $100 billion a year on Alzheimer’s. Nei- Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I like a dull blade. My own eyes have too ther Medicare nor most private health rise today to discuss a serious disease much history in them, I often think. I was insurance covers the long-term care or illness that affects a great many in the little girl who worshipped her father, and many patients need. Alzheimer’s dis- our country. It is Alzheimer’s disease. the young women who hurt him the way ease is costing American business $61 daughters do when their love is needy and I have been a longtime advocate for true. Now I look at him in a soft, maternal billion a year: $36.5 billion is the cost increasing research for treatment and way, which still feels odd to me, even after to business of caregiving, and the rest cures for Alzheimer’s. I was particu- all these years. As if the laws of nature have is the business share of the cost of larly touched by a recent article in been turned upside down. My mother’s eyes health care and long-term care.

VerDate Aug 23 2002 23:45 Sep 05, 2002 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05SE7.036 H05PT1