Watson Coleman: “what a glorious day yesterday was. I am privileged to follow my distinguished colleague from Texas who, as she reflects…”

“what a glorious day yesterday was. I am privileged to follow my distinguished colleague from Texas who, as she reflects upon the joy that we all felt, expressed a real sense of pride in the incredible work done by our fighting men and women, knowing that many of those who have lost their lives and those who have been prisoners of war came out of Texas bases. For all of us there is always this mixed sense. We are filled with joy, pride and joy for the Iraqi people to be able to taste liberation and freedom in Iraq. But part of my tradition in the Jewish faith is that at the time of a wedding ceremony--a glorious day--we wrap a glass in a cloth. Then, at the end of the service, at this moment of the greatest of joy such as the great joy we experienced yesterday, the groom steps on the glass and breaks it. Part of the sense of tradition is, in this time of joy and celebration, let us not forget that life has mixed blessings, and there are tragedies that have occurred and will occur. So as we celebrate the incredible joy of the liberation of Baghdad, let us not ever--and we will not certainly in these hallowed Chambers, certainly not in this country--forget the sacrifices that have been made by those who have given their last ounce of courage and the sacrifice of their lives for the freedom we witnessed yesterday. Let us also understand that much work remains to be done. There will be more death. We will suffer more casualties.…”