Andy Harris: “this House continues to conduct an essential debate over our Nation's policy in Iraq. Nevertheless, meeting the Iraqi…”

“this House continues to conduct an essential debate over our Nation's policy in Iraq. Nevertheless, meeting the Iraqi people and hearing their story firsthand invoked an old adage with respect to those who offer armchair criticism: talk is cheap. In the aftermath of the first Gulf War 12 years ago, we encouraged the Iraqi people to rise up against their brutal dictator. Then we left them to Saddam's murderous designs. While this decision may have made sense in terms of U.N. resolutions and international opinion, it amounted to a betrayal of the Iraqi people. The blood, sacrifice, and heroism of our troops over the last 7 months have once again forged a bond of trust. In the faces of the Iraqis with whom I met, I witnessed a new hope that has not only demonstrated the success of our plan; it testified to the justice of our cause. Mr. Speaker, regardless of one's opinion about the rationale for this war, one truth remains: to turn back now, to betray the Iraqi people once again will only embolden the terrorists. Let us not debate whether we will produce a free prosperous and peaceful Iraq. Failure is not an option.”