Charles Skelton: “Mr. Speaker, I rise as a Member of Congress and perhaps more importantly as a veteran of the Gulf War to strongly…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise as a Member of Congress and perhaps more importantly as a veteran of the Gulf War to strongly support the resolution now before the House. Mr. Speaker, it is my belief that we of this Chamber have a profound obligation to those who fought and died in the Gulf War to resolutely compel Iraq's compliance with the terms of peace negotiated at the end of that conflict. Mr. Speaker, I remember almost 8 years ago I stood in the chow line, I believe in northern Saudi Arabia, perhaps in Kuwait, behind a young Marine who had written on his helmet cover: "It's not about oil." The wisdom of that young Marine was true then, it remains true today. It was not about oil during the Gulf War. The action taken by the President yesterday was also about more strategic and significant concerns. Mr. Speaker, this is about denying access to one of the world's tyrants to weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological capabilities. The action taken by the President yesterday was fully justified. Our tactical bombardment must now lead to a strategic objective, the removal of Saddam Hussein from power.”