Joe Pitts: “this week has reminded us that war is serious business. Each day we see our brave soldiers on TV making great progress…”

“this week has reminded us that war is serious business. Each day we see our brave soldiers on TV making great progress against Saddam Hussein and his brutal regime. Now, more than ever, the troops need our support and encouragement. Mr. Speaker, we should stay united behind our troops. Our troops do not need to hear criticism of their mission from this body or this Capitol. When their Nation's leaders question their mission, I can tell you, as a combat veteran, it is discouraging. It is tough to stay focused when the leaders you look to for strength are not in your corner. Most people disregard professional protestors, especially when they see their placards saying 'capitalism is the problem.' But when they hear their leaders criticizing their mission to liberate the people of Iraq from a brutal tyrant and his thugs who rule by terror, that is disheartening. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stop making our Capitol building a platform to criticize the war and our troops. That only hurts our troops in the field.”