WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Ron Lewis (KY-02) delivered the following remarks Thursday evening during debate over a non-binding resolution to disapprove the President's decision to deploy additional United States combat troops to Iraq:

Madam Speaker,

          This debate is a sad moment in our nation’s history. If there was ever a time when Americans should be standing together, this is the time.

          Throughout our country’s illustrious history we have been confronted with many challenges, but challenges met with unity of purpose, unflinching courage, and unyielding resolve to be victorious against all odds.

          This debate, disguised as a no confidence vote against the President, is really about defeat, about surrender, about retreating from an enemy determined to destroy our very existence.

          Madam Speaker, the obvious truth of our situation is that we may run, but we can’t hide. They know where we live.

Madam Speaker, today Americans all over this great land should stop for a moment and consider this national debate. They should ask themselves what this means to them personally, their families, and their neighbors. Is it worth the expense and sacrifice of war now in order to establish a secure and lasting peace? Or should our nation take momentary relief in retreat as we wait for our newly emboldened enemies to strike our homeland with even more fierce and deadly attacks?

Madam Speaker, we must all realize that September 11, 2001 was not the end of the radical Islamic Jihad against the United States. It was just the beginning. September 11^th was a declaration of war. The fact is, we are not at war with Iraq. Iraq is an ally in our war against the radical Islamic Jihadist.

Iraq is only one among many battlegrounds where we are fighting Jihadist who are committed to the destruction of western civilization and replacing it with theocratic Taliban-style control.

Madam Speaker, if we cut and run, if we retreat from Iraq, we will forfeit our ability to lead in the world against the enemies of peace. Iraq in all likelihood would fall to Iranian dominance and would become a launching pad for terror attacks against the United States and Israel.

Islamic Jihadist will be emboldened in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the greater Middle East. The world oil supply could be vulnerable to Jihadist control, and nuclear armed missiles in Pakistan could turn into a hellish nightmare. And Israel, Madam Speaker, one of our closest and most faithful allies, could see its very existence perilously close to total annihilation.

World War III could even be the final consequence of the misguided actions of this Congress if we retreat from Iraq. But sadly, Madam Speaker, there are some in this Congress who are more concerned about the next election than the next generation.

So, where are the FDR’s, the Churchill’s, the Patton’s, the Macarthur’s’, the Truman’s, the John F. Kennedy’s, and the men and women of the greatest generation in this hour of our great peril? They are in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting for our safety and our security.

But, the self-centered generation, the politicians, the media types, and the whiners and complainers are sitting in the safety of their homes complaining about the unpleasantries of war. This generation of the self-centered and indulgent, if successful in their defeatism, will condemn untold numbers to horrors never imagined by the most creative writers of horror fiction.

Madam Speaker, I cannot believe, as a nation, that we have become so preoccupied with our own personal and political agendas that we have fallen asleep to the dangers before our nation.

The hour of decision is upon us. Will we rally from our slumber and awaken to reality? We are at war! Or will we close our eyes in self-deception and hide ourselves under the blanket of a cowardly resolution?

Tomorrow we must choose. Will it be: Commitment over retreat; Freedom over slavery; Courage over fear; Democracy over theocratic fascism; Security over terror; Life over death?

Madam Speaker, our brave men and women serving in our armed forces have already chosen. They have willingly volunteered to put their lives on the line – and at this very moment are fighting for all that we cherish. It is they who represent today’s greatest generation.

Tomorrow, we can honor these brave souls by choosing their values by defeating this disgraceful resolution. Or we can pass this vile legislation and have it recorded to our eternal shame.

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