Lizzie Fletcher: “Before 9-11 the threat of terrorists and those states that harbored them was unfortunately not taken as seriously. In…”

“Before 9-11 the threat of terrorists and those states that harbored them was unfortunately not taken as seriously. In the 1990's, terrorists bombed the World Trade Center, two American embassies, an American barracks, and the USS Cole. We took only limited action then, but now we cannot let the deaths of nearly 3,000 Americans on September 11 be in vain. We vowed after that to do our best to rid the world of terrorists and fear. Over the past 12 years, the United Nations has issued numerous warnings about the blatant defiance of Iraq. Additionally, we know that Saddam Hussein's brutal regime has used biological and chemical weapons against even his own citizens. Hussein has violated the Oil for Food Program, diverting uncounted millions to fund a military buildup and develop weapons of mass destruction, all the while allowing a reported 1 million children to die of starvation. The oppressed citizens of Iraq are not our enemy, only the evil regime of Saddam Hussein. This resolution is a grave, but necessary, step in confronting the danger of his regime. It does not inevitably lead us to war. It encourages the United Nations to live up to its true purpose. President John F. Kennedy described courage as 'doing what is right even in the face of unrelenting pressure.' The time has come for the U.N. to take decisive action, but we cannot let the U.N.'s inaction keep us from defending our national security.”