On the recordJune 1, 2011
Before I comment on why I am standing next to the brave and the true of our United States military, let me give a message to Syria and express my outrage over the heinous killing of a 13-year-old boy. President Assad should be held accountable now. And the United Nations needs to voice its opposition. As the Secretary of State has indicated, we need to be standing alongside those seeking freedom in Syria. And to our allies in Bahrain, where our fleet of Navy personnel are, what a disgrace that they have imploded and blown up mosques because they disagree with their particular faith. This is the Arab Spring, but it will end in devastation if we don't stand for truth and human rights and compassion. Now, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important, as I stand next to the brave men and women, some who have fallen, and those who now still fight, to ask my Republican friends do you understand that there is a 10 percent unemployment among those who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan? Yes, troops who are fighting for us and fighting on our behalf. Yet it has been 21 weeks and the Republicans have no jobs agenda. We need jobs. Create jobs! If you believe in these troops, build jobs for the American people. ____________________
