Lucille Roybal-Allard: “like my colleagues of both parties and in both Chambers and as the wife of a Vietnam veteran, the national debate on…”

“like my colleagues of both parties and in both Chambers and as the wife of a Vietnam veteran, the national debate on whether or not to go to war with Iraq and under what circumstances has weighed heavily on my mind and my heart. For, clearly, sending the young men and women of our Armed Forces into harm's way is one of the most serious and far-reaching decisions a Member of Congress will ever have to make. Like all Americans, I take pride in the fact that we are a peaceful Nation but one that will defend itself if needed against real and imminent dangers. Like all Americans, I take very seriously our responsibilities as the world's global superpower and realize how our words and actions can have huge repercussions throughout the world. For that reason, I attended meetings and studied the materials provided us. I have listened to the administration, my constituents, my colleagues on both sides of the issue, both sides of the aisle, and both sides of the Congress; and I remain deeply concerned about our march to war without a supportive coalition or a clear and moral justification. Before making a final decision on my vote, I also asked myself, as a wife and mother, what would I want our Nation's leaders to do before sending my son, my daughter, any loved one to war?”