Thomas Foley: “last Friday in Punta Gorda, Florida, I attended the funeral services for one Specialist Michael Woodliff who was killed…”

“last Friday in Punta Gorda, Florida, I attended the funeral services for one Specialist Michael Woodliff who was killed in Iraq. He was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery on Monday. At the ceremony there was no bitterness, but fond memories for a fallen hero. His friends and families describe his credos as faith, family, country. His father said to me, ``Michael died serving his country with pride in defending his homeland.'' Michael would not want the political debate that has taken place in the last 24 hours of acrimony and division. Michael would want us not to question the merits of the war in Iraq. He would want us to track the terrorists who killed him and others who killed those in New York on September 11. Iraq has changed the world as we know it. Libya is cooperating on nuclear weapons. North Korea is talking about peace. Pakistan and India are trying to settle their longstanding skirmish over Kashmir. Michael Woodliff died defending the honor of this country. Politicians should think of him when they utter words on this floor. His sacrifice to this Nation is a lot better than the speeches I have heard by some. God bless you, Michael. Thank you for serving your Nation.”