Lynn C. Woolsey: “Throughout my career in public life, and even before, nothing has motivated me more than a desire to end wars and…”

“Throughout my career in public life, and even before, nothing has motivated me more than a desire to end wars and violent conflicts. When I was a small girl saying bedtime prayers or making a birthday wish when blowing out the candles, I always asked for world peace. So it's no surprise that over a decade ago, I opposed the Iraq war before it even started. It was appalling that we would invade a nation that hadn't provoked us, had nothing to do with 9/11, and did not have weapons of mass destruction. It was a lonely fight at that time. But I didn't do it to be loved. It was a matter of principle. Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters, and I formed The Triad--Woolsey, Waters, and Lee--to organize our opposition. We held forums, we developed an Out of Iraq Caucus, we traveled around the country, and in January 2005, I offered the first amendment here on the House floor calling for our troops to be brought home. Some in my own party thought that it was a mistake, that we wouldn't get any votes--or enough votes--and that we would be embarrassed. Well, I told them that even if I were the only one voting to bring our troops home, I would not be embarrassed. Well, as it happened, we got 128 bipartisan votes that very first time. So you see, Mr. Speaker, when you lead, people follow. Because of a handful of progressive leaders and progressives in our country that were vocal and fearless, eventually public opinion turned. It turned against the Iraq war and turned towards peace.…”