Political Quotes

“In 1993, the United States Air Force deployed Task Force Ranger to Somalia to restore order to the capital city of Mogadishu after it was taken over by a rebel warlord. The Battle of Mogadishu was the event which inspired the movie ``Black Hawk Down.'' The Somali people wanted democracy, but this general and his militia took over the nation to impose radical Islamic Sharia law. They hijacked food supplies and cut off water to anyone who did not support their reign of terror. After several successful operations, Task Force Ranger set out on a mission to arrest two of the general's top lieutenants in a building by the Olympic Hotel in a militia stronghold neighborhood. The plan was to surround the building the lieutenants were meeting in, lower themselves on ropes from helicopters and surround them, then take the prisoners to the vehicles that would be waiting outside. Unfortunately, the mission took a catastrophic turn, Mr. Speaker, when two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by rocket-propelled grenades. The soldiers were attacked, and the battle that followed lasted 18 hours. Eighteen of our brave men were killed and dozens were injured, and the Somalis lost over 1,000 men. This October, Knoxville is holding a 30th anniversary event to commemorate this mission, where surviving members of Task Force Ranger can be reunited and they can remember their fallen brothers. As a Christian, Mr.…”