Albert Russell Wynn: “Mr. Speaker, it should be stated at the outset that not one Member of this body wants war. We all want peace. The…”

“Mr. Speaker, it should be stated at the outset that not one Member of this body wants war. We all want peace. The decision whether to send American soldiers into battle is the most agonizing vote we will cast in Congress. It is a choice between confronting the horrors of war versus allowing a potentially devastating attack on our homeland, one that could kill tens of thousands of Americans. But make no mistake, the threat posed by Saddam Hussein also ultimately threatens world peace and stability. It is for this reason that we must consider the resolution before us today, allowing the President to take unilateral military action to disarm Iraq in the interest of long-term peace. First, I believe we must consider this issue in the context of the post-September 11 world. Our enemies and their supporters have demonstrated their willingness to strike at us in covert and highly-destructive ways. As a result of briefings I have received from military experts, former weapons inspectors and colleagues in the intelligence community, I am convinced that Iraq does indeed possess weapons of mass destruction. First, chemical and biological threats. Saddam Hussein has VX nerve gas, mustard gas, and anthrax. These toxins are deadly and could kill thousands.”