Political Quotes

“first let me thank Senator Frist and Senator Reid for this extraordinary occasion, for this bipartisan moment of silence. Today, we learned that our Nation had crossed a tragic threshold: 2,000 American service men and women have now been killed in Iraq, and more than 15,000 of our sons and daughters have been injured and have suffered painful and permanent injuries. All are equal in their tragedy. The 2,000th death is no more heartbreaking than the first or the 50th. But the enormity of this lost--of 2,000 of our best and bravest--breaks America's heart. We have seen their pictures. When you look at the faces of the fallen, you are struck by several things. First, you are overwhelmed by how young they are. Three hundred and fifty-seven of these men and women never saw their 21st birthday. As a father, I cannot imagine a greater grief than losing a child so young. When you see the photos of our fallen heroes, you are struck by the resolve in their faces. They were young but they had courage, a sense of duty and purpose to volunteer and defend America. In a few cases, you are also struck by some of the faces that are quite old. The oldest American killed in Iraq was 60 years old. The faces look like America because they are America. Most were born here. Some were Americans and soldiers by choice. These 2,000 of our best and bravest came from every State of the Union and from the Territories. Seventy-nine were from my home State of Illinois.…”