Trent Lott: “there is no more solemn and important duty for the Senate, in my opinion, than to debate the momentous issues of war and…”

“there is no more solemn and important duty for the Senate, in my opinion, than to debate the momentous issues of war and peace. I remember in 1991 when we debated the gulf war resolution that it took on a very serious aura. Every Senator spoke. Senators actually came to the floor and listened to the debate. It was a challenge. Not a one of us didn't feel some amount of concern and trepidation and respect for the importance of that vote. I think we are fixing to embark on a debate of that magnitude again today. The issue of Iraq is one that we are concerned about and which we have been wrestling with for 11 years. But I think that today on the issue of Iraq we have reached what Winston Churchill called ``not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning.'' After weeks of careful preparation and bipartisan negotiation--it has been truly bipartisan on both sides of the aisle in the Senate, and in the House it has been a bicameral effort--I believe the Senate will, once again, show why it is called ``the greatest deliberative body.'' I think we will have some very interesting and very thoughtful speeches that will be given next week. Obviously, we will not all agree. Obviously, we will have respect for each other--no matter what the position may be.”