An Activist’s Life, by Thomas Leavitt

The following resolution was voted on unanimously by the U.S. Senate (99-0, with only Zell Miller absent for family reasons):

Whereas Saddam Hussein has failed to comply with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 678, 686, 687, 688, 707, 715, 949, 1051, 1060, 1115, 1134, 1137, 1154, 1194, 1205, 1284 and 1441;

Whereas the military action now underway against Iraq is lawful and fully authorized by the Congress in Sec. 3(a) of Public Law 107-243, wich passed the Senate on Oct. 10, 2002, by a vote of 77-23, and which passed the House of Representatives on that same date by a vote of 296-133;

Whereas more than 225,000 men and women of the United States Armed Forces are now involved in conflict against Iraq;

Whereas over 200,000 members of the reserves and National Guard have been called to active duty for the conflict against Iraq and other purposes; and

Whereas the Congress and the American people have the greatest pride in the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, and the civilian personnel supporting them, and strongly support them in their efforts;

Now therefore be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, the Congress:

(1) Commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the president, as commander in chief, in the conflict against Iraq;

(2) Commends, and expresses the gratitude of the nation to all members of the United States Armed Forces (whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the reserves) and the civilian employees who support their efforts, as well as the men and women of civilian national security agencies who are participating in the military operations in the Persian Gulf region, for their professional excellence, dedicated patriotism and exemplary bravery;

(3) Commends and expresses the gratitude of the nation to the family members of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians serving in operations against Iraq who have borne the burden of sacrifice and separation from their loved ones;

(4) Expresses its deep condolences to the families of brave Americans who have lost their lives in this noble undertaking, over many years, against Iraq;

(5) Joins all Americans in remembering those who lost their lives during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, those still missing from that conflict, including Capt. Scott Speicher, USN, and the thousands of Americans who have lost their lives in terrorist attacks over the years, and in the global war on terrorism; and

(6) Expresses sincere gratitude to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government for their courageous and steadfast support, as well as gratitude to other allied nations for their military support, logistical support and other assistance in the campaign against Saddam Hussein’s regime.

The following resolution was passed 391-11 with 22 members voting “present” (21 Democrats and 1 Republican, Ron Paul, who is really a Libertarian):

Expressing the support and appreciation of the nation for the president and the members of the armed forces who are participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Whereas the United States armed forces, a total force comprised of active, National Guard, and reserve personnel, are now undertaking courageous and determined operations against the forces of Saddam Hussein’s regime;

Whereas the Senate and House of Representatives and the American people have the greatest pride in the members of the armed forces and strongly support them;

Whereas the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105338) stated that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime;

Whereas on Oct. 16, 2002, the president signed into law House Joint Resolution 114 of the 107th Congress, the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107243), which provides congressional authorization for the use of military force against Iraq;

Whereas the United Nations Security Council, in Security Council Resolution 1441, adopted on Nov. 8, 2002, voted unanimously that Iraq “…. will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations” to disarm in accordance with all relevant United Nations resolutions;

Whereas Iraq remains in material breach of the relevant United Nations resolutions;

Whereas the United States has assembled and deployed an allied military coalition to apply pressure on Saddam Hussein to comply with the relevant United Nations resolutions;

Whereas on March 18, 2003, the president transmitted to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate the president’s determination, consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107243), that reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq, and that the president’s use of military force against Iraq is consistent with necessary ongoing efforts by the United States and other countries against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001;

Whereas on the evening of March 17, 2003, the president of the United States issued Saddam Hussein and his sons a final ultimatum to leave Iraq within 48 hours or face United States military intervention;

Whereas, when Saddam Hussein failed to comply, the president ordered United States armed forces to commence military operations against the forces of Saddam Hussein during the evening of March 19, 2003, under the code name of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in order to liberate Iraq, remove Saddam Hussein from power, and neutralize Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction;

Whereas the United States armed forces and allied forces are performing their missions with great courage and distinction in carrying out air, land, and sea attacks against Iraqi military targets; and

Whereas the ability of the armed forces to successfully perform their mission requires the support of their nation, community, and families: Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that the Congress expresses the unequivocal support and appreciation of the nation

(1) to the president as commander in chief for his firm leadership and decisive action in the conduct of military operations in Iraq as part of the ongoing global war on terrorism;

(2) to the members of the United States armed forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are carrying out their missions with excellence, patriotism, and bravery; and

(3) to the families of the United States military personnel serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are providing support and prayers for their loved ones currently engaged in military operations in Iraq.

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