Kay Bailey Hutchison: “this resolution we are talking about today is for those brave men and women who are in harms way as we speak, close to…”

“this resolution we are talking about today is for those brave men and women who are in harms way as we speak, close to midnight their time, far across the oceans. America's thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of them--Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, Americans, and our loyal allies. September 11, 2001, was a brutal wake-up call for our Nation, one that our President refuses to ignore. By disarming and liberating Iraq, these troops are working to prevent a 9/11 with a weapon of mass destruction. Today we are entering a new phase in the campaign to root out terrorism wherever it is bred. How did we get to this point? In 1993, terrorists bombed the World Trade Center, killing 6 people, wounding more than 1,000. In 1996, terrorists bombed the U.S. military living quarters at Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia, killing 19 brave Americans and wounding scores more. In 1998, followers of Osama bin Laden attacked U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing and wounding hundreds. In 2000, bin Laden followers attacked the USS Cole in a harbor in Yemen, killing 17 sailors and wounding 39 more. But sadly, it took 4 hijacked airplanes being turned into weapons of mass destruction and the loss of nearly 3,000 lives for us to respond, and this time the terrorists and those who harbor them will know the United States of America is resolved to preserve our freedom. Our President will not waiver. Congress will not waiver in our support of our President and our troops.”