H2388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 26, 2003 SMITH), in a very bipartisan rec- that will be coming home from the SUPPORTING OPERATION IRAQI ommendation to the Committee on the Middle East and leave the military, FREEDOM Budget, which would have added $3 bil- many of them will assume the title The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under lion next year alone for veterans dis- ‘‘veteran.’’ While we honor them while the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- cretionary programs, including med- they are there, we are disrespectful to uary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Geor- ical care and research, construction them when they come home, and that gia (Mr. KINGSTON) is recognized for 60 and programs that fund the adminis- has to stop. minutes as the designee of the major- tration costs of other important bene- We, and I know the gentlewoman has ity leader. fits such as compensation, pension and been a leader in this regard, have to de- Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, before education programs. I want to thank sign a strategy when it comes to that we begin, let me yield to the gentleman the gentleman for the efforts he has supplemental budget to take care of from Massachusetts (Mr. DELAHUNT), made in working with us in that area. those men and women and not to con- the distinguished former district attor- But I urge all my colleagues to do tinue the disrespect that has been ney from Boston, to finish his state- the right thing and to honor our com- shown to them. ment. mitment to our veterans. These cuts Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I are irresponsible; they are shameful Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I tonight rise thank my dear friend for yielding. I and unacceptable. in ardent support of our troops fighting in Iraq. thank the gentleman for his spirit of Mr. Speaker, I want to take this op- As a veteran of the Korean War, I fully under- collegiality. portunity once again to thank the gen- stand the sober task which our soldiers have Mr. Speaker, what I wanted to con- tlewoman for taking this time tonight. undertaken. We must remember that these clude with was this observation, and I It is important that we continue to troops are on the front line doing their duty, direct it to my colleagues on both sides talk about this issue. We cannot allow saluting and following orders. They are great of the aisle: if we are unable to work this issue to go away, because, as we Americans. I want them to know, along with out in the course of our consideration stand here tonight and as we go back their families, that they have my unwavering of the supplemental budget full funding and talk to our veterans, I never hear support. It is well known that I strongly dis- for all veterans services, then it is time one Member talk and say they are not agree with the policies that have led us to war for the veterans in this country to take going to be responsive. Yet Members in Iraq. It is my opinion on many, many levels action. Many of us have read in our say it is important what we do, not that the U.S. should not be at war in Iraq. history books that there was a march necessarily what we say, because what However, my support of U.S. troops is reso- on Washington in the early 1930s. It is we do, and the budget says it all, that lute. time for the veterans organizations and is going to be very important. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- I think it is important that support be more for the American people to march woman for allowing me to be here to- than just lip service. Last week I voted against again. Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, we night with her. the Bush Administration’s budget which would Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to have drastically reduced veteran’s health care want to talk a little bit about the situ- the gentleman from Massachusetts and benefit programs. Even though the Presi- ation in Iraq tonight and a number of (Mr. DELAHUNT). dent is waging this preventive doctrine war, he other subjects. Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I presented a budget to Congress that would Mr. Speaker, I am joined by the dis- thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I have cut Mandatory Veterans Programs bene- tinguished gentleman from Colorado want to congratulate her for pre- fits by billions of dollars. Mandatory veteran’s (Mr. BEAUPREZ), a businessman and senting to the American people the programs include disability compensation, new freshman. The gentleman is on his truth. pensions, vocational rehabilitation, and sur- way to take his daughter to dinner, I was so impressed as I heard my col- vivors’ benefits. The Bush administration’s and, as a father of two daughters, that leagues come to the floor and describe budget slashes compensation for service con- takes high priority. So let me yield to the realities of what is occurring. The nected disabilities and education benefits by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. gentleman from Texas just alluded to $15 billion and cuts veteran’s health care BEAUPREZ.) the chairman of the Committee on Vet- funding by another $15 billion over the next Mr. BEAUPREZ. Mr. Speaker, I erans Affairs and praised him for his ef- ten years. The Disabled American Veterans, thank the gentleman for yielding. It is forts. It is fascinating to read in to- the Paralyzed Veterans and the American Le- a pleasure to be with the gentleman to- day’s Roll Call that he was castigated gion have all issued statements opposing the night on the floor. and admonished by the House Repub- Bush Administration’s budget. In fact, the Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight with my lican leadership for his efforts in this Michigan Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans wrote colleagues to commend the tremendous regard. That, I suggest, says something to me, stating, ‘‘the proposal, if implemented, progress being made by our troops in loud and clear to the American people. would have a shocking effect on VA health Iraq. However, I am disgusted with re- We know what is happening. The vet- care services and be an affront to millions of cent media reports proclaiming set- erans know what is happening. But it is veterans. The proposal, approximately 1.3 bil- backs and delays of our troops in bat- time for the American people to be in- lion above the FY 2003 appropriation, would tle. formed, and I congratulate the gentle- not even cover inflationary impact and antici- Mr. Speaker, such editorializing of woman for her efforts. pated salary increases for VA health care the news represents a severe disconnect What I find particularly fascinating workers.’’ Furthermore, ‘‘budget resolutions set with reality. At this very moment we is sometime supposedly next week we spending priorities. We find it hard to fathom are within minutes of Operation Iraqi will be considering a supplemental that veterans would not be priority to the Freedom being just 1 week old. One budget in the amount of $75 billion, Budget Committee, or the leadership of the week, Mr. Speaker. In one week, we some $63 billion of which I think we all House of Representatives.’’ I submit to you have flown over 7,000 combat sorties, support. It is for our troops and for the that budget cuts such as these do not bode we have delivered 600 Tomahawk mis- men and women that find themselves well for strengthening the solidarity of our siles with surgical precision such as in harm’s way. The rest of the money, troops to our country. never before seen in battle, we have much of it, is allocated to other na- moved numerous ground troops to tions: $1 billion for Turkey, monies for I’d like to close with a quote from George within 50 miles of Baghdad, and we Egypt, for Jordan. And for what reason Washington, ‘‘The willingness with which our have killed or captured thousands of I cannot understand. But if we can af- young people are likely to serve in any war, Iraqi soldiers. We have adapted, we ford to take care of the rest of the no matter how justified, shall be justified, shall have overcome, and, Mr. Speaker, we world, we should be able to take care of be directly propositional as to how they per- will prevail. the men and women that served us, not ceive the veterans of wars were treated and But in the din of news reports and just in this war, not just in the Viet- appreciated by the Nation.’’ live briefings, the fog of battle for nam conflict, not just in Korea and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Americans can be information over- World War II, but all of our veterans. BRADLEY of New Hampshire). The time load. We learn a lot about what is hap- It is absolutely unconscionable. It is of the gentlewoman from California pening today. But for the next couple un-American. Those men and women (Ms. WATERS) has expired. of minutes, Mr. Speaker, I would like

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:18 Mar 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K26MR7.119 H26PT1 March 26, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2389 to make sure that we remember what remember why we are there: to end a You people are some of the most disgusting has happened before to lead us to this regime of terror and liberate a people examples of a waste of protoplasm I’ve ever point. who have never known freedom. had the displeasure to hear about. In 1979, Saddam Hussein took control Godspeed to our troops and God bless Sean Penn, you are a traitor to the United States of America. You gave aid and comfort of the Iraqi Government. The next year America. to the enemy. How many American lives will he launched a costly 8-year war with Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I your little fact-finding trip to Iraq cost? You Iran that was both inconclusive and thank the gentleman from Colorado; encourage Saddam Hussein to think that we violent. and I want to commend him on words didn’t have the stomach for war. In 1988, after his unsuccessful foray well said. I appreciate everything that You people protect one of the most evil into Iran, he took on a less formidable he is doing to help free the people of men on the face of this earth and you won’t enemy, the Kurdish people of Northern Iraq as a new Member of Congress. lift a finger to save the life of an unborn Iraq, his own people. Using chemical Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about a baby. Freedom of choice, you say? weapons and poison gas, he destroyed number of things. I want to read a let- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE 1,000 to 2,000 of their villages. The ter from an Iraqi woman. I want to The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. death toll from that holocaust may read a letter from Charlie Daniels. I BRADLEY of New Hampshire). The gen- have been as high as 182,000 people. wanted to talk about a French com- tleman should address his remarks to In 1990, he once again crossed inter- pany that has nearly a $1 billion cater- the Chair. national boundaries and invaded tiny ing contract to the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I am Kuwait. During that exercise his sol- and I want to talk about Iraqi viola- reading a letter from Charlie Daniels diers carried out orders to kill any ci- tions of the Geneva Convention. which I think I am certainly allowed vilian who did so little as violate cur- First, let me read a rather spirited under the rules to do. Not that I would few. letter from Charlie Daniels. We know ever argue with the distinguished par- In 1991, his continued aggression Charlie Daniels is the songwriter who liamentarian, particularly the one on against Kuwait brought about the at- wrote The Devil Went Down to Geor- your right, but I believe I can read a tention of the United States and the gia, among other things. He is great letter. United Nations and his swift defeat playing the fiddle, and he is a great The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- during Operation Desert Storm. American. So this is Charlie Daniels’ tleman can read his letter provided it In the 12 years since Desert Storm, letter, open letter to the Hollywood is otherwise in order. Mr. Speaker, the United Nations has bunch. I am going to read directly from Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the Speaker. passed 17 different resolutions out- the letter. I am still in quotes, Mr. Speaker, and lining conditions under which Saddam Okay, let’s say just for a moment you probably it is very appropriate for the can stay in power. He has violated bunch of pampered, overpaid, unrealistic Speaker to point out that I am reading them all. children had your way and the USA did not a letter, open letter to Hollywood writ- We now have further evidence that go into Iraq. ten by Mr. Charlie Daniels, one of Let’s say that you really get your way and Saddam and his band of loyalist thugs America’s most popular entertainers. I we destroy all of our nuclear weapons, stick am going to continue with that, back have no respect for human life, com- daisies in our gun barrels and sit around mon decency, nor even the inter- with some white wine and cheese and pat to the quoted letter. national rules of engagement. The hei- ourselves on the back, so proud of what we Well, I’m going to exercise some freedom nous treatment of our soldiers and the have done for world peace. of choice of my own. abuse of even his own citizens once Let’s say that we cut the military budget If I see any of your names on a marquee, again is absolutely despicable. to just enough to keep the National Guard I’m going to boycott the movie. I will com- pletely stop going to the movies if I have to. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, I hope the on hand to help out with floods and fires. Let’s say that we close down our military In most cases, it certainly wouldn’t be much world takes note of another truth of bases all over the world and bring our troops of a loss. this conflict. As Hitler was supported home, increase foreign aid, and drop all trade You scoff at our military whose boots you by the Nazi loyalists, so, too, is Sad- sanctions against everybody. are not even worthy to shine. dam supported by his Baath Party fa- I suppose that in your fantasy world, this They go to battle and risk their lives so in- natics. would create a utopian world where every- grates like you can live in luxury. body would live in peace. After all, the great The day of reckoning is coming when you b 2045 monster, the United States of America, the will be faced with the undeniable truth that My colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. cause of all of the world’s trouble, would the war against Saddam Hussein is the war on terrorism. WELDON), stood on this floor on Feb- have disbanded its horrible military and cer- America is in imminent danger. ruary 25 and outlined the atrocities of tainly all of the other countries of the world would follow suit. You’re either for her or against her. There the regime in terrible, gruesome detail. After all, they only arm themselves to de- is no middle ground. He described mutilated babies, crippled fend their country from the mean USA. I think we all know where you stand. children, adults without limbs, dipped Why, you bunch of pitiful, hypocritical, What do you think? in acid, torture beyond the imagina- idiotic spoiled mugwumps. Get your head out God bless America. tion of civilized people, all at the hands of the sand and smell the Trade Towers burn- Unquote, Charlie Daniels. of Saddam Hussein and his Ba’ath ing. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues can get party. Do you think that a trip to Iraq by Sean this off the website. However, due to Penn did anything but encourage a wanton Referring to these and the regime’s murderer to think that the people of the technological ethics, I am unable to other crimes against humanity, our USA didn’t have the nerve or guts to fight give out that website number, but if President, our Commander in Chief him? somebody would call my office, I would said, ‘‘If this is not evil, then evil has Barbara Streisand’s fanatical and hateful be glad to give it to them. no meaning.’’ Mr. Speaker, I could not rantings about George Bush makes about as Mr. Speaker, here is a guy who is one agree more. That is why Operation much sense as Michael Jackson hanging a of the American-dream-type success Iraqi Freedom is about regime change, baby over a railing. stories, came up the hard way. I believe not just about Saddam. All those that You people need to get out of Hollywood Charlie Daniels went to the University once in a while and get into the real world. promote terror, manufacture it, and You’d be surprised at the hostility you would of Chicago, so he is not exactly just export it must be squelched before lib- find out here. this country boy from back home on eration can come to the Iraqi people Stop in at a truck stop and tell an over- the farm that Hollywood would scoff and peace to the rest of the world. worked long-distance trucker that you don’t at. But this is a guy who has really Mr. Speaker, the bullets are flying; think Saddam Hussein is doing anything made it pretty big in the entertain- and our troops are in harm’s way. As wrong. ment world, knows the Hollywood we continue to be briefed on their daily Tell a farmer with a couple of sons in the bunch because he calls them up front United States military that you think the progress, as we see the sacrifices being United States has no right to defend itself. and he writes a letter like that to give made in the field by our soldiers and Go down to Baxley, Georgia, and hold an us an idea of what he thinks. back home by their families, let us antiwar rally and see what the folks down Now, Mr. Speaker, I am going to read keep this in proper perspective. Let us there think about you. another letter by a woman named

VerDate Jan 31 2003 05:13 Mar 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K26MR7.121 H26PT1 H2390 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 26, 2003 Katrin Michael. She is member of lot who are not so well-meaning. A lot tiations enough? When is enough fail- Women for a Free Iraq, a Washington- of people just have a gripe with George ure enough? based advocacy group. She wrote this Bush, and they find the war a conven- I believe that the United Nations has for Newsday, but I read it in the Savan- ient vehicle to air their opinion. There a role to play. Yes, I believe we should nah Morning News. I am going to again are a lot of people who do not like the get the United Nations resolutions to quote from this. United States of America and, again, express the sentiment of the world As an Iraqi woman who wages peace and they find the war a convenient excuse once, twice, three times, ten times. But has fought in war, I am compelled to support to air their opinion on that. But then 17 times? How many resolutions must a U.S.-led action to remove Saddam Hussein. there are a lot of people who are abso- he ignore and continue his oppression, After 26 years of resistance against Saddam, lutely sincere: peace first, peace only, his assassination, and more dangerous I have come to the conclusion that only negotiations. to us, his trying to obtain nuclear and forces from outside Iraq can bring an end to Yet what this Iraqi woman is saying, other weapons of mass destruction? the nightmare of his rule. The stories of Saddam Hussein’s brutality who has been there and has been in- How many times should we say, or is are all true. Ethnic cleansing, summary im- jured by Saddam Hussein, is we cannot there a time when we should say, prisonment and execution, torture and rape do it alone, we have to have a U.S.-led enough? What does it take? What does are all part of the nightmare. I know this coalition. it take for the world to react? from personal experience. Today, Mr. Speaker, in Basra, we did Thank God, fortunately, we have a My father founded an Iraqi peace move- find out that there was an uprising and President who stated after the attacks, ment, a crime for which he was murdered. At at this point it has not continued, but those horrendous attacks that occurred the time I was 14 years old. I was arrested by on 9–11 against our people, our inno- the regime merely because I joined the Iraqi I think that it will, and I think in the Women’s League. I was not the only young days and weeks ahead we are going to cent people, he stated very clearly that girl arrested for such a trivial offense. see more and more Iraqi citizens com- those that harbor terrorism were ter- Later, I joined the Kurdish resistance, even ing out of their hiding places and fac- rorists, and that there was going to be though I was, in their eyes, a mere woman ing Saddam Hussein and joining the re- a price to pay. and a Christian. I traveled in disguise to sistance against him. Then he tried to warn, and he did Baghdad and around the country to organize Now, I have been joined by our friend warn, Saddam Hussein. He went to the opposition to Saddam. When I was injured in from Miami, Florida (Mr. MARIO DIAZ- United Nations and got one last chance one of his chemical bombardments against for Saddam Hussein from the United hundreds of Kurdish villages in 1987 and 1988, BALART). I want to yield some time to I was forced to flee to a refugee camp in him. Nations. But there is a time, unfortu- southern Turkey where I stayed until I fi- I have a couple of other topics I want nately, when one must act. That time nally reached freedom in the United States to talk about surrounding Iraq. One of has come. Now our brave men and in 1997. I continue to suffer to this day from them has to do with a French company women are doing what the President lung, nerve and eye damage caused by these that has a lucrative contract with the said he was going to do, what he was weapons. Department of Defense feeding 55 garri- going to ask them to do if Saddam Hus- No one in Iraq is immune from Saddam’s sons throughout America. I also want sein did not disarm. He was going to brutality, not even the closest members of disarm them with our brave men and his own family. He even executed two of his to talk about the House Resolution own sons-in-law in 1996. that we passed today urging Iraq to women. A commonly used form of torture is to comply with the Geneva Convention. They are doing an incredible job, an bring a detainee’s female relative, preferably But the gentleman has been a very ac- incredible job. This is the time to sup- his wife, daughter or mother, and gang rape tive freshman Member of Congress and port our troops. This is the time to not her in front of him. has a lot of issues he has been working vacillate in that support for our troops. Members of the Iraqi opposition in exile re- on, too. So I yield to him to jump in on I know there are those who say, well, ceive videotape of tapes of their female rel- this or switch topics or whatever pleas- we support our troops, but we wish atives in Iraq being raped. Women who criti- they were not there. They are there. cize or merely offend Saddam are accused of es him. They are performing a vital job. We being prostitutes and regularly beheaded in b 2100 public. have to support them wholeheartedly, His son, Uday, often leads these behead- Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART. Mr. not with caveats, not with reserva- ings. They occur in Baghdad as well as in Speaker, I thank the gentleman for tions. We have to support them. We smaller villages throughout Iraq. The heads yielding to me. I was listening to the have to support them, and they have to of the executed women are hung on the doors gentleman’s words today, and I was do what it takes to get the job done. of their houses for all to see. moved by the gentleman’s statements It is up to us, who are living and en- I am saddened when I see people who sin- and by the strength and veracity of cerely care for the fate of the Iraqi people re- joying the freedoms that those thou- sist the American-led effort to remove Sad- that letter from that young woman sands of men and women in uniform for dam and restore hope for the Iraqis. We can- who suffered the intense oppression of generations have fought to give us. We not do it alone. that brutal, crazy dictator, that dic- should utilize those freedoms to show Iraqis had their closest brush with freedom tator that is oppressing the people of appreciation, to show respect, to show in 1992 during Operation Desert Storm. I re- Iraq. admiration, and to say, job well done. gret, as do most Iraqis, that the United What she says is so true: the Iraqi We are with you. We are going to be States and its allies allowed Saddam to people have been suffering for a long, with you to the end. squash this resistance and remain in power. long time. They have suffered through Those who care about peace and justice for They are going to succeed because the Iraqis should not make the same mistake what we really cannot even imagine, the vast majority of the American peo- again. the most horrendous humiliations, tor- ple supports them; because the vast Saddam will never leave power willingly. tures, murders, assassinations. That majority of the American people sup- He will never give up his weapons and allow man who has killed about 1.5 million ports our President, our Commander in the Iraqi people to live in freedom. people, has gassed his own people, and Chief, in his efforts. We are so grateful. That is the end of the letter, Mr. other nations; who has no concern for I actually was walking through, and I Speaker, but I want to restate one life or for any basic principles or free- heard what the gentleman was saying more time that this was written by an doms, and who the world was negoti- on the floor. I had to come by and Iraqi woman who was raised in Iraq, ating with for about 12 years. thank the gentleman, thank the gen- who was part of the peace movement, Think about that. We all believe in tleman for those words, and thank him who has come to the conclusion that negotiations. We all believe in diplo- for reminding us what is at stake. only a U.S.-led action will remove Sad- macy. I believe that we should try to When the gentleman read that letter dam Hussein, and that is the only way negotiate; and when we have a dic- from that young woman, I think it that the world will be rid of him. tator, a crazy, insane man who has brought it home. It brought it home to I think that is so important, Mr. committed mass genocide and murder, roost. What is at stake here is so pre- Speaker, because there are a lot of that we should try to negotiate, for 1 cious. It is liberty, it is life, it is every- well-meaning people who are against year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 10 years, thing that we care for, everything that the United States action. There are a 12 years? When is enough failed nego- we believe in.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:18 Mar 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K26MR7.124 H26PT1 March 26, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2391 Yes, unfortunately, it is expensive. It Fort Bliss in Texas, where the mem- We saw that the wonderful, talented is expensive. It has been expensive for bers of 507th Maintenance Division men and women of the U.S. Air Force generations. But those who have to were from, supporting the Third Infan- shot down missiles. Some were des- protect those lives, those freedoms are try. tined to land in populated areas of Ku- the American people. Once again, our Just to see the House come together wait. Those are missiles that sup- troops are doing it with the honor, and say, you know, this is absolutely posedly they do not have, that Iraq with the valor, with the talent that not right, and we are going to put the does not have. What more proof do we they have always done it. I want to folks from Iraq on notice that they will need? thank them for what they are doing. be tried as war criminals as soon as I ask a question, I ask a rhetorical I want to thank you, sir, for once possible. If that means waiting until question, How many violations does it again bringing that to light. That is the war is over, fine; but if we can get take for these countries to realize that why I had to come by here. I saw the them out of there before then, they there is a problem? Of course, what we gentleman on TV, and I had to come by will be tried as war criminals. We made realize now is that it is not that they to thank him for these words of soli- that statement to them, number one. do not realize that they are violations. darity to our troops, to the Com- Number two, we assured our troops It is that they have been assisting this mander in Chief; and to remind every- that we are watching and we are with regime and selling them high-tech body why it is that we are in this bat- them in thought and in spirit, and we equipment that has been banned, that tle; and that we are going to win this are going to do everything that we can is unlawful, according to the United battle because it is so important, be- to get them out of there alive. Nations resolutions. They have been cause so much is at stake. Yes, we are Number three, we sent a signal to the assisting this regime in their oppres- on the right side. international community, the French, sion, in their assassinations. Mr. KINGSTON. I want to thank the the Germans, the Chinese, the Rus- I think we are going to find a lot of gentleman for those words, Mr. Speak- sians, those who were so quick to de- that. I am not telling the gentleman er. nounce the United States of America that is the reason why some of these It is interesting, today we had a and this action. Well, there are 164 countries oppose the United States’ ef- great moment where all Members, countries that have signed the Geneva fort to free the people of Iraq, just like Democrat and Republican, came to- Conventions going back to 1949. Let the United States military freed the gether on the issue of Iraq complying these countries now step forward and people of France twice. with the Geneva Convention, which of denounce Iraq, who incidentally is a By the way, the people of France, course they are not doing. Each day signer of the Geneva Conventions; and thank God, they had the right to be there is a new revelation. let the world community find some- free. A lot of brave young American There was a very tender moment thing that they can agree on in the GIs died to free the people of France. I today as we in Congress saw the pic- form of these seven soldiers who are am glad that France is free. The people tures of the prisoners, the American captured as we speak tonight. of Iraq are no less human beings than POWs, that Iraq had filmed. As the Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART. Mr. the people of France. They have the gentleman knows, it was very grue- Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, it right to be free, as well. some. First, the cameras panned on is interesting, the gentleman men- Mr. KINGSTON. It is interesting that some dead soldiers, soldiers who at tioned some of these countries that the gentleman mentions that, because least three of them had a shot right in were so quick to criticize the United there is a degree of racism, I think, on their forehead; young men, strong men, States, criticize the United States for the part of the peace activists of the men in uniform, men with their dog enforcing the resolutions that they world. The reason why I say racism is tags around their necks and the blood unanimously supported, by the way. because would these people support a that was on their chests, in some cases. Yet, we now see some of them, and I Saddam Hussein if he were in Paris? It was a very sobering, very gut- do not know why they have acted the Would they do it if he were in Ger- wrenching scene to see. way they have, but I can just throw many? No. They would denounce him Then, apparently in the same room, some facts on the table. We now see quickly. But as long as he is in the but it was not clear, were the live pris- that the Government of Russia has sold Middle East, well, they have been oners. Iraqi TV or whoever the report- to the Iraqi Government some very fighting for years. Or if he is in, say, ers were were interviewing them and high-tech military equipment. South Asia or something, well, they asking them a lot of questions. There Mr. KINGSTON. That Russian equip- have been fighting for years; or if he is seemed to be some pushing and shoving ment sold to Iraq, Mr. Speaker, that is in Africa. in the room. It seemed that there were radar-jamming or missile-jamming How many times have we heard, they a lot of people. We could tell by the technology. Is that not the case? have been fighting for years, we cannot look in these American prisoners’ eyes Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART. It is bring peace in the Middle East, like the that they did not know if they were highly sophisticated night vision people in the Middle East do not de- going to be alive the next minute, or equipment, equipment to avoid radar, serve peace; but the folks in Europe, make it through the night, or what was missiles, and also to confuse GPS de- that is the high standard to live by. To going to happen to them. It seemed vices that are obviously a big part of a me it is just a double standard. I can like utter confusion. military arsenal. only summarize it with racism. What struck me, among other things, Yet a lot of these things are things The gentleman mentioned Russia is that even in Somalia, and we all that were not permissible under the selling sophisticated, high-tech equip- have read or seen ‘‘Blackhawk Down,’’ sanctions that those same governments ment to Iraq. We already are seeing in which I think was a great depiction of supported. So on one side, they are say- Congress that we have the supple- that battle. When they had the captive ing, well, Iraq is a violator of all sorts mental budget coming, and it is going helicopter operator, he was still al- of rights. They are trying to obtain to be to fund the military operation as lowed to get the International Red weapons of mass destruction. They well as the humanitarian operation. Cross to come in. Yet in Iraq they do have supported all these resolutions in As a result of the humanitarian oper- not even let the Red Cross in to see our the past. On the other side of their ation, I am already seeing a gold rush. prisoners. mouths, they are selling them high- I am seeing companies actually start Today, on a bipartisan basis, we de- tech equipment, military equipment. lobbying for contracts. That bothers bated, and we will vote on it tomorrow, That regime that they have con- me a lot when we have one missing in House Concurrent Resolution 118, demned for the human rights abuses, action today, seven captured, and eight which I had, I guess I am not going to for the rape of the women, for the as- casualties American and 18 British. Yet say the honor, which would be the sassinations, they are selling that re- what really bothers me is some of these usual word, but I offered it, along with gime high-tech military equipment, countries are not American countries the gentleman from Texas (Mr. REYES). much of it banned by the United Na- and they are not English countries and I represent the Third Infantry in tions. Those countries voted to ban they are not Australian; they are not Hinesville, Georgia, and he represents that equipment to the Iraqi regime. coalition countries.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:18 Mar 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K26MR7.125 H26PT1 H2392 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 26, 2003 I have one example, though, of a world knew that. But, in France, it If the gentleman would like to make company. USAID, which is a foreign seems like they were all united against any closing comments, I need to actu- aid branch, it does a lot of good things, the United States and against this war. ally make an engagement. but it is going to let some humani- Apparently, that is not a problem to Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Flor- tarian contracts go, and French and Sedxho, because they are a French ida. Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank German companies will be eligible to company. And yet here are the Ma- the gentleman from Georgia. Again, I compete for it. That bothers me a lot, rines, the brave and the honorable Ma- had to come to the floor today once I that they will be able to profit from rines who are the ones who discovered was hearing what he was talking this war. this hospital today, allegedly a hos- about. I had to come here and thank Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART. I could pital, and yet 55 different garrisons in the gentleman, thank him for standing not agree with the gentleman more, if the United States of America, when an up for our troops, thank him for sup- the gentleman will yield, Mr. Speaker. 18-year-old Marine sits down for lunch, porting our troops, thank him for sup- This is a two-fold problem. There is, a French company is making a profit porting the President of the United first, the opposition to this effort to from that. That is unbelievable, and I States, Commander in Chief in such a free the Iraqi people and to free the call on the Department of Defense to difficult time. Our troops are going to world from this very dangerous dic- cancel that contract. prevail because of their honor, their in- tator, free the world from a dictator Listen, there are reasons sometimes tegrity, their decency and because they who is trying to get or obtain nuclear we have to buy from an enemy. There are the best people, best troops and the best human beings that this world has weapons, and who already has other are reasons that somebody has some- ever seen, and they are well led, and weapons of mass destruction. thing unique, but we are talking cater- their cause is just. b 2115 ing. I am sure there are good compa- I wanted to thank the gentleman nies in Florida and Georgia and all We are trying to free the Iraqi people again for his words. They were hum- over America that can do the catering while at the same time free the world bling, and they were touching, and I service for the U.S. Marine corps, but a from this incredible threat. wanted to come here and thank him to- French company, it is unbelievable. So we have to remember these coun- night for his words. tries that we are objecting to that, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Flor- Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I ap- that even though unanimously, just a ida. If the gentleman would yield, I preciate everything the gentleman is few months before, they said, hey, think we are going to find a lot of that. doing. I think we are going to find a lot of look, we are going to give this dictator f companies that are profiting from sell- one last chance, he has to disarm, but SALUTING OUR TROOPS it is worse than that because not only ing goods to the United States, includ- are they objecting to the freeing of the ing to the United States Armed Forces The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Iraqi people, are they objecting to rid- and armed services, as the gentleman BRADLEY). Under the Speaker’s an- ding of the world of this dictator who just pointed out, who, by the way, are nounced policy of January 7, 2003, the is trying to get nuclear weapons, who probably also making a hefty profit gentleman from Maryland (Mr. has ties with terrorist organizations selling products to Iraq, even though CUMMINGS) is recognized for 60 minutes. and, by the way, including terrorist or- there are sanctions there and probably GENERAL LEAVE ganizations that have assassinated even some high-tech equipment to the Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask Americans, but what is even more of- tyranny in Iraq. unanimous consent that all Members fensive is that at the same time they I think it kind of explains some of may have 5 legislative days within are selling this dictator high-tech the ferocity of the argument, some of which to revise and extend their re- equipment that he can use to further the aggressiveness of some of those marks on the subject of this Special Order. exploit, hurt, oppress, kill, murder his that were objecting to the United The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there people and others because of his ties States’ noble stance to help free an op- objection to the request of the gen- with terrorism. pressed people and also help rid the world of these weapons of mass de- tleman from Maryland? One would hope that humanity has There was no objection. gone above and beyond that, and yet struction and the possible obtaining of nuclear weapons to this dictator. I Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, this there are those that would like to prof- evening, members of the Congressional think we are going to see a lot of that. it even while selling high-tech equip- Black Caucus wanted to take a mo- The thing that surprised me, and it ment that they know they should not ment to salute our troops. These are be selling because they have said it re- does not surprise me anymore because men and women who have voluntarily peatedly in U.N. resolutions. So they we are starting to see why, and my col- put on the uniform of the United know it, it is not by mistake, and yet league just mentioned it, we are start- States of America to make sure that they are doing so to earn a buck, to ing to see why but, surprisingly, the fe- we maintain our way of life, maintain earn a buck? rocity of the argument and how our constitutional rights, maintain our Mr. KINGSTON. There is another ex- France, for example, not only do they privileges; and they have put their ample. Another company called object to any resolution that was not lives on the line to keep us safe. Sedxho, S-E-D-X-H-O, it is a French of their liking in the U.N. recently and Mr. Speaker, it gives me great sad- company. It is a publicly-owned French they said so, but, also, they went lob- ness today to start off my remarks by company, but they have $1 billion bying. They actually were talking to having to pay tribute to a great Amer- worth of food service contracts with every nation possible to try to stop ican hero who died in the line of duty the United States Department of De- this movement to free the people of while serving his country in pursuing fense. Recently, they signed an $881 Iraq and to free the world from this the American dream. Originally from million contract to feed the U.S. Ma- dictator who has caused so much grief. my hometown of Baltimore, Marine rines in 55 different garrisons. We are I think we are starting to see why, Staff Sergeant Kendall Damon Waters- working on a letter to the Secretary of but it is sad, it is sad that it looks like Bey, age 29, was one of the four U.S. Defense, Mr. Rumsfeld, to say he needs one of the main reasons or at least one Marines who died when their CH–46 Sea to renegotiate this, he needs to cancel of the reasons may be because they are Knight helicopter crashed near the it, he needs to look into it. But can my making a buck off of this dictator. Iraqi-Kuwait border. colleague imagine, here is a French Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, also, I would like to start off by first ex- company, and France, I do not remem- are they not making a buck or profit, pressing my deepest condolences to the ber one division in the country of things like that, but they have had a Waters-Bey family during this very, France in terms of their stance against lucrative oil contract in Iraq they did very difficult time. I mourn their loss, America in the last 3 to 6 months. I do not want to disturb. That it is clear along with the other members of the not remember anybody moderating. France is not after some noble or high Maryland Federal delegation. In America we had division. We had a ground about peace, but it simply boils Our prayers are with Sergeant Wa- pro-war and an anti-war group, and the down to profit. ters-Bey’s 10-year old son, Kenneth; his

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