Elijah Cummings: “I rise this afternoon in solemn recognition of all the soldiers who have lost their lives or who have been injured in…”

“I rise this afternoon in solemn recognition of all the soldiers who have lost their lives or who have been injured in the war on Iraq. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the Congressional Black Caucus who stood up for our soldiers in this war. As I am sure you are aware, Mr. Speaker, April has been one of the deadliest months in the war in Iraq. Approximately 100 troops have lost their lives and countless others have been injured in the escalating violence. I continue to pray for the families of the deceased and wounded and for the safe return of those fighting in the Iraqi desert. Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress we must ask the crucial questions that go to the heart of our mission in Iraq, namely, Mr. Speaker, we have the responsibility to our constituents and to our American servicemen and -women to ask what is the strategy for returning Iraqi governance to the Iraqi people. How long are our troops expected to be in Iraq and at what cost in American tax dollars and human loss of life must we expend? Just last week, the President held a prime-time press conference to address the concerns of the American people regarding the United States occupation of Iraq and the resulting loss of life. President Bush told the American people that we must unequivocally stay the course. But I must ask, Mr. Speaker, is this really a course worth staying? And most courses have an end.”