21 March 2003
Text: House Passes Resolution Supporting U.S. Troops and Commander-in-Chief
(H. Con. Res. 104 approved in 392-11 vote) (990) The House of Representatives approved a resolution supporting U.S. Armed Forces engaged in the liberation of Iraq and their Commander-in-Chief by a 392-11 vote in the House early on March 21. House Concurrent Resolution 104 (H. Con. Res. 104) said the Congress wanted to express the "unequivocal support and appreciation of the Nation" to President Bush as Commander-in-Chief "for his firm leadership and decisive action in the conduct of military operations in Iraq as part of the on-going Global War on Terrorism." H. Con. Res. 104 also said it was expressing the support of the nation to "the members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are carrying out their missions with excellence, patriotism, and bravery," and to their families. The resolution noted that the ability of U.S. Armed Forces to successfully perform their mission "requires the support of their nation, community, and families." Representative Duncan Hunter (Republican of California) submitted the resolution March 20, and called for immediate consideration of the resolution late in the evening of March 20. The resolution garnered 224 Republican votes, 167 Democratic votes, and the vote of the lone Independent in the House of Representatives. Eleven lawmakers voted against the resolution, all Democrats, while 21 Democratic lawmakers voted present, along with one Republican, Representative Ron Paul of Texas. Ten lawmakers did not take part in the vote including Representative Tom Lantos (Democrat of California). The roll call vote on the resolution occurred at 3:00 AM on March 21. Those Democratic lawmakers opposing the resolution included Representatives John Conyers of Michigan, Michael Honda of California, Barbara Lee of California, James McDermott of Washington, Edolphus Towns of New York, Charles Rangel of New York, Robert Scott of Virginia, Fortney (Pete) Stark of California, Maxine Waters of California, and Diane Watson of California. Following is the text of House Concurrent Resolution 104 from the Congressional Record: (begin text) 108th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 104 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Whereas the United States Armed Forces, a total force comprised of active, National Guard, and Reserve personnel, are now undertaking courageous and determined operations against the forces of Saddam Hussein's regime; Whereas the Senate and House of Representatives and the American people have the greatest pride in the members of the Armed Forces and strongly support them; Whereas the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-338) stated that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime; Whereas on October 16, 2002, the President signed into law House Joint Resolution 114 of the 107th Congress, the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), which provides congressional authorization for the use of military force against Iraq; Whereas the United Nations Security Council, in Security Council Resolution 1441, adopted on November 8, 2002, voted unanimously that Iraq `...will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations' to disarm in accordance with all relevant United Nations resolutions; Whereas Iraq remains in material breach of the relevant United Nations resolutions; Whereas the United States has assembled and deployed an allied military coalition to apply pressure on Saddam Hussein to comply with the relevant United Nations resolutions; Whereas on March 18, 2003, the President transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate the President's determination, consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), that reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq, and that the President's use of military force against Iraq is consistent with necessary ongoing efforts by the United States and other countries against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001; Whereas on the evening of March 17, 2003, the President of the United States issued Saddam Hussein and his sons a final ultimatum to leave Iraq within 48 hours or face United States military intervention; Whereas, when Saddam Hussein failed to comply, the President ordered United States Armed Forces to commence military operations against the forces of Saddam Hussein during the evening of March 19, 2003, under the code name of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in order to liberate Iraq, remove Saddam Hussein from power, and neutralize Iraq's weapons of mass destruction; Whereas the United States Armed Forces and allied forces are performing their missions with great courage and distinction in carrying out air, land, and sea attacks against Iraqi military targets; and Whereas the ability of the Armed Forces to successfully perform their mission requires the support of their nation, community, and families: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress expresses the unequivocal support and appreciation of the Nation-- (1) to the President as Commander-in-Chief for his firm leadership and decisive action in the conduct of military operations in Iraq as part of the on-going Global War on Terrorism; (2) to the members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are carrying out their missions with excellence, patriotism, and bravery; and (3) to the families of the United States military personnel serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are providing support and prayers for their loved ones currently engaged in military operations in Iraq. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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