Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, House Resolution 1538, which condemns the deadly suicide attacks that took place in Kampala, Uganda on July 11, 2010. In the past, some Members have questioned the accuracy of reported links between al Qaeda and al-Shabaab insurgents. Some claim that it is operationally focused solely upon Somalia and, thus, poses no tangible threat to Americans, our allies, or our interests. Unfortunately, the attacks that rocked Uganda on July 11, 2010 provided indisputable evidence that those assumptions were dangerously wrong. Scores were killed, including an American who worked with the advocacy group Invisible Children. This senseless act of violence should serve as a wake-up call to U.S. officials on the need to vigorously address the threat of Islamist extremism wherever it lurks, which extends far beyond the Middle East. Many more lives are at stake. The 1998 East Africa Embassy attacks exposed, and the July 11 Kampala attacks affirmed, that the United States cannot afford to ignore the activities of extremist groups in Africa as they attempt to expand their influence to bolster their ranks and spread their dangerous ideology. We must work vigilantly and cooperatively with other responsible nations to disrupt the operations of extremist groups and hold accountable their regional sponsors. Over 18 months ago, Mr. Speaker, I introduced a resolution, H. Con. Res.…”