C.L. Otter: “it is my hope that we pause long enough during this important debate tonight to remember back to another time in a place…”

“it is my hope that we pause long enough during this important debate tonight to remember back to another time in a place not too far from this place. During the heated debate and many times rancorous discussions on their efforts to establish a government that would elevate the individual above the crown, above the prince, above the king, and above the head of state, much was said about the doubtfulness of victory and the certainty of failure. Caution was urged, voted on, and rejected. The hope and the promise, the value for the chance at being free was so strong that our Founding Fathers measured well that the risk was worth the reward. Now is our opportunity once again to revive that spirit. And in doing so, we demonstrate to ourselves, the people of the United States, indeed, Mr. Speaker, the people of the world that we are worthy of the suggestion that we are the beacon of freedom for the world and we share that light with pride, with honor, and hope. The Iraqi people who yearn for freedom, I am confident, do so with no less courage and resolve than those who so boldly signed the Declaration of Independence and at that time set this Nation on a destiny of freedom envied by all peoples of the world who suffer under the burden of tyranny. Our allies throughout the war for independence did not pack up and go home when the going got tough. They believed in us, as I believe that we should believe in the Iraqi people. They stayed the course, as I believe we should.…”