Thursday, May 17, 2007
Iraq War
Fred Upton will present service medals to local Iraq War Vets on April 27th but on Feb. 14th He voted for the Iraq Resolution. Hmm Political Grandstsnding with our soilders? Remember this when it is Memorial Day weekend.
Upton Floor Statement on Iraq Resolution
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) made the following remarks on the House Floor this afternoon in support of H. Con. Res. 63, the Iraq War Resolution. The symbolic, nonbinding resolution voices support for our troops but disapproves of the deployment of more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq. It does not cut off funds for any military operations. Upton strongly opposes any efforts to cut off funding for current military operations.
Thank you Mr. Speaker, I know that Iraq has been on all of our minds for a long, long time. And many of us here have visited Iraq on multiple occasions. Many of us have also visited Bethesda Naval Hospital as well as Walter Reed and tried to comfort our brave and courageous servicemen and women. And yes, many of us have grieved with the families that have lost a loved one at a gravesite back in our districts.
Mr. Speaker, we had a breakthrough this week in North Korea. It was a diplomatic success, and our country led the effort to engage other countries in the region: Russia, South Korea, Japan, China. The six party talks helped see a negotiated settlement that makes sense. And the world is a better and safer place. Diplomacy won again.
Now, one of our big problems in Iraq is that we have not pursued the diplomatic angle like we should have. We have not seen a diplomatic surge like we ought to.
Let's talk about this resolution. The first finding, of course, is that Congress and the public will continue to support and protect those serving in Iraq. That tells me that we are not going to cut off the aid to the brave folks that are there.
It's almost a daily routine for me when I see a man or woman in uniform at the airport, at the cafeteria, at home, anywhere; Bethesda or Walter Reed Hospital, that I take a moment and thank them for their sacrifice and their service. Our troops need all of the equipment to make sure that their safety can be as secure as it can be.
This week, I e-mailed a number of our troops that I've met that are overseas. I talked about this resolution, including the policy of the surge. And many of them responded at length and I want to share a part of their stories and responses without using their names.
One of my Army Captains said this, "Bringing in more Americans will force us into more confrontational roles...This is not the way to win...More American soldiers on the ground will not win the war, it will only delay the enemy's reaction...If the people do not believe that their government can protect them, they will look for one that they believe will."
Mr. Speaker, these folks are on the ground, they know what's going on. The Generals on the ground too have said more U.S. troops would be counterproductive and, in fact, only increase or deepen the threats on our U.S. troops.
Let's face it, this is a civil war, it is real anarchy. And, in fact, the Iraqis don't want us there. Nearly 80 percent of them in Baghdad say that American troops provoke more violence than they prevent. And those same polls show that Iraqis overwhelmingly want U.S. troops gone within a year. In fact, we know that a majority of both sides, Shia and Sunni, believe that it's okay to kill our troops.
So much for being a liberator. In other words, we're viewed as part of the problem, not the solution.
Mr. Speaker, all of us, all of us support our troops but there are many of us that believe this surge strategy will fail and only prolong the day that the Iraqis will finally pick up the baton and lead their own government. The Baker-Hamilton unanimous bipartisan report labeled the situation as grave and deteriorating. It called for regional cooperation and a new direction.
Mr. Speaker, I'm one that believes that the vote authorizing the war was based on evidence that was flat-out wrong. Let's not continue to ignore the real situation and the mistakes of the past. It is time...it is time for the Iraqis, not the United States, to lead after four years. We need to send the message to our troops that, yes, we support them and for this Administration a signal for them to pursue a diplomatic surge involving the region.
For these reasons, I too, support the resolution.
Upton to Present Service Medals to Local Iraq War Veteran
Rep. will present 6 medals to 23-year old veteran – young man has already received the Purple Heart
KALAMAZOO, MI – Friday, April 27th, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) will present six service medals to Kalamazoo Iraq War veteran Eric Laninga. The 23-year old Laninga has already received a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Iraq. Upton will make the presentation at 10:00am at his Kalamazoo District Office.
Prior to spending time in Iraq, U.S. Army Private First Class Laninga was stationed in Korea. Upton will present Laninga with the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal.“It is a great honor to pay tribute to Eric for his heroic service to our nation,” said Upton. “Just 23 years old, in the prime of his youth, Eric put his life on hold and left loved ones behind to fight to defend democracy. We are all grateful for Eric’s service to the nation - all our hearts and prayers continue to be with Eric’s comrades who are still in Iraq.”
