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One Year Later, One Less Dictator
Posted by Michelle Stein on March 17, 2004
He refused to cooperate with 17 United Nations resolutions, but it doesn’t mean
Saddam Hussein had anything to hide. He massacred tens of thousands of his own people, but it doesn’t mean he wanted to continue the killing or take it to other countries. Saddam funneled money to suicide bombers, but that doesn’t mean he actually supported the idea of terrorism or reveled in its casualties.
No, Saddam should have been left alone – trusted to abide by the universal law of honesty and respect for human life that had already marked his tenure.
At least, this is what some would have us believe today – that the United States would have been wiser to let a madman propelled by the love of bloodshed and the pursuit of perversion roam freely from his self-made throne of terror.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the world needed to be more vigilant about terrorism and rogue dictators aligned with malignant forces and involved in weapons proliferation. Saddam Hussein topped the international list of weapons violators.
By 2002 it was clear that the sanctions regime designed to prevent Saddam from re-arming had fallen apart and countries were trading openly with Iraq. There was also widespread international agreement that Hussein had not given up his efforts to acquire banned weapons. Iraq’s expulsion of UN weapons inspectors had made it virtually impossible to monitor his activities. Most governments around the world believed Hussein’s Iraq had not disarmed itself of the lethal weapons.
In early 2003, the UN confirmed that Iraq had hidden its chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs, built missiles exceeding the range limits set by the Security Council, and failed to cooperate with inspectors. Instead of disarming, Iraq responded with false claims and empty declarations.
Two U.S. Administrations and the UN all agree that Hussein possessed a significant biological and chemical capability in 1998 when the inspectors were withdrawn. There is broad agreement that Hussein, different from any other leader, had proven himself capable of using these weapons for offensive purposes and not merely in a defensive posture.
We knew he was breaking the UN sanctions. We gave him due warning to change. We knew he was capable of such atrocities. And we were justified in liberating Iraqis from this monster.
I can tell you, from first-hand accounts, the horrors Saddam brought on his own people. Saddam was a weapon of mass destruction. On my first mission to Iraq this past August, I went to Al Hillah the site of a mass grave. I remember vividly, two women on their hands and knees picking through the broken bits of bone and body searching for their loved ones. Saddam was a destroyer of lives and a threat to all.
On that first trip, Iraqi citizens constantly reminded me that that they wanted America to stay, find Saddam and bring democracy to the region. We made a commitment to the Iraqis that we would liberate them from Saddam, and we have done so. We said we help them to have a constitution, and we have accomplished this task.
Let us not forget how impressive a feat the Iraqi constitution truly is. Just a year ago, dictator Saddam Hussein ruled, and now, Iraq is a burgeoning democracy. For a historical perspective, over a decade transpired between when the United States declared its independence to the time it proposed the U.S. Constitution.
What America and 30 other like-minded countries have accomplished in one year reaches far beyond the borders of Iraq and the removal of Saddam.
As the Saddam’s regime toppled, Iran – a country with a history of snubbing its nose at diplomacy – took one look at Saddam’s crumbled palaces and agreed to open its nuclear facilities for U.N. inspection, voluntarily suspending its uranium enrichment activities.
This is not a single-case scenario, either. Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi surrendered his weapons of mass destruction program as a direct result of our actions in Iraq. He has admitted as much publicly.
Following the Libyan developments, Pakistan’s Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan confessed to passing on nuclear enrichment technology, materials and nuclear weapon designs to Iran, Libya and North Korea. By stopping Dr. Khan’s disbursement of information, we are tearing a main artery of nuclear terrorism.
Even North Korea – a country whose communist dictator paralyzes surrounding countries with nuclear threats – now has the benefit of considering our actions in Iraq and the possibility of reward for cooperation before making any rash decisions.
While some skeptics continue to suggest that military action in Iraq was wrong, that preemption is never the answer, and that Iraqis would have been better off left to the will of Saddam Hussein, Americans who fervently dream of never seeing another tower tumble on our soil, and millions of others across the world who know firsthand the price of inaction, share a different opinion.
While some would leave us vulnerable to terrorism at the expense of dangerous illusions, we embrace with confidence the reality of an Iraqi people who awaken with optimism to a safer world – one without Saddam Hussein – for generations to come.
H.Res 551 Thanking C-SPAN for its service to the House of Representatives on the 25th anniversary of its first coverage of the proceedings of the House
Posted by on March 16, 2004
H.RES.551
Passed 392-0
Burgess voted Yes
Title:Thanking C-SPAN for its service to the House of Representatives on the 25th anniversary of its first coverage of the proceedings of the House.
Sponsor: Rep Ney, Robert W. [OH-18] (introduced 3/9/2004)
Cosponsors: 23
Committees: House House Administration
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 - 0 (Roll no. 58).
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SUMMARY AS OF:
3/9/2004--Introduced.
Expresses the thanks of the House of Representatives to and commends the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN), together with Brian Lamb and the more than 275 C-SPAN employees, for their service to the House on the 25th anniversary of C-SPAN's first coverage of the proceedings of the House.
The Burgess Bulletin - March 2004
Posted by on March 15, 2004
Greetings and welcome to the second installment of The Burgess Bulletin. The e-newsletter is designed to keep you informed on legislative initiatives, news and constituent services from both my Washington and Lewisville offices. Each edition will be unique and tailored to include the most pertinent issues of the time. I believe you will find these highlight, brief emails useful and informative. I encourage you to visit daily my congressional website at www.house.gov/burgess for updated voting records, my stance on specific legislative issues and upcoming calendar events.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Burgess
One Year Later
The liberation of Iraq from the evil, tyrannical reign of Saddam Hussein was one of the most successful military operations in U.S. history. One year later, the people of Iraq are now preparing to govern themselves for the first time in decades. The capture of Saddam Hussein has removed one of the most lethal worldwide threats and opens the door for peace and freedom for the Iraqi people.
Burgess’ Statement on the Importance of the Iraq Constitution
03.09.04 - On March 8, 2004 Iraq's leaders signed an interim constitution embarking on a single path toward democratic rule. This momentous event was made possible through an arduous process which was enabled through the continuing war on terrorism and the guidance of democracies around the world. Those wishing to curb freedom tried to bully the signing through bombings and extremist political deadlocks, but in the end, the will of a freed people succeeded….
For more information about the Iraq, please visit the following sites:
Congressman Michael Burgess:
/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=2835
The White House:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/
U.S. State Department:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6804.htm
Central Intelligence Agency:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/iz.html
Library of Congress:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/iqtoc.html
Burgess on Congressional Delegation Mission to Iraq, Afghanistan & Pakistan
02.14.04 - 02.21.04
On February 16, 2004, I departed from Andrews AFB in Washington, DC for a return trip to Iraq. This was my second mission to Iraq, and I was returning six months later as part of the Government Reform Team to assess the accomplishments of our U.S. forces and the Interim Iraq Government thus far. During this particular trip, I also traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan where I met with President Pervez Musharraf and President Harmid Karzi, respectively.
While on this trip, I was careful to take notes and place them in my diary to share with you on my return. They are rather lengthy, so I have not included them in your email, but I encourage you to visit my website news section to see my Iraq Daily Entries.
DAY ONE: Burgess Memoirs from Kuwait
DAY TWO: Burgess Returns to Iraq
DAY THREE: 4th Infantry Division
DAY FOUR: Pakistan & Afghanistan – a Presidential Day
DAY FIVE: Afghanistan Now
I had the opportunity to dine with U.S. soldiers stationed at Baghdad International Airport.
I was delighted to see that they were hanging the Lewisville banner I had presented them back on my first CODEL in August.
While in Iraq, we had a briefing with
U.S. Ambassador Paul Bremmer where we discussed the upcoming signing of the
Iraq Constitution (my trip was prior to this event), and the success stories over the past year.
This amazing photo was taken by the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan as they partially landed on the house of a known member of the Taliban. The Taliban member was apprehended just after this picture was taken.
Need Help Obtaining a Federal Document?
In recent years, increasing numbers of federal documents have become available on the Internet either through the Government Printing Office, the various websites of federal agencies or the Library of Congress' Thomas website.
If you are unable to locate this information online, the information should be available through one of the following resources.
1. House of Representatives Document Room
The House Document Room provides many congressional documents free of charge. To obtain materials, call (202) 226-5200 or email the Document Room.
2. Government Printing Office
The GPO provides government documents, including information from federal agencies, and many non-congressional materials. Fees applied to each order. To obtain materials, call (202) 512-1800.
Event: Lewisville Town Hall Meeting
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2004
Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Lewisville City Hall
City Council Chambers
151 West Church Street
Lewisville, Texas 75057
Event: Frisco Town Hall
(Frisco/Hackberry/McKinney/Prosper/Little Elm)
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2004
Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Location: Frisco Municipal Complex
City Council Chambers
8750 McKinney Road
Frisco, Texas 75034
As your United States Congressman, I hold town hall meetings in different cities to give constituents a chance to hear from me and to discuss issues before the United States Congress.
Some of the issues I have been working on in the U.S. House of Representatives this year include protecting America; curbing federal spending; strengthen our economy; developing innovative financing for road construction; and improving and refining our health care system.
Watch your email and mailbox for more information on a meeting in your area.
H.Res 557 Relating to the liberation of the Iraqi people and the valiant service of the United States Armed Forces and Coalition forces.
Posted by on March 14, 2004
H.RES.557
Passed 327-93
Burgess voted Yes
Title:Relating to the liberation of the Iraqi people and the valiant service of the United States Armed Forces and Coalition forces.
Sponsor: Rep Hyde, Henry J. [IL-6] (introduced 3/11/2004)
Cosponsors: 11
Committees: House International Relations; House Armed Services
Related Bills: H.RES.561
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 327 - 93, 7 Present (Roll no. 64).
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SUMMARY AS OF:
3/11/2004--Introduced.
States that the House of Representatives: (1) affirms that the United States and the world have been made safer with the removal of Saddam Hussein and his regime from power in Iraq; (2) commends the Iraqi people for their courage in the face of unspeakable oppression and brutality inflicted on them by Saddam Hussein's regime; (3) commends the Iraqi people on the adoption of Iraq's interim constitution; and (4) commends the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Coalition forces for liberating Iraq and expresses its gratitude for their valiant service.
H.R. 4279 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements
Posted by on March 12, 2004
H.R. 4279
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements
Passed by a vote of 273-152 Burgess voted YES
H.R.4279 Major Actions: Help
Title:To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system, and to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees.
Sponsor: Rep McCrery, Jim [LA-4] (introduced 5/5/2004) Cosponsors: 16
Committees: House Ways and Means
Related Bills: H.RES.638, H.R.4280, H.R.4281
Latest Major Action: 5/12/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 273 - 152 (Roll no. 163).
Note: Pursuant to H.Res. 638, the text of H.R. 4280 and H.R. 4281 was appended to H.R. 4279, as passed House.
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SUMMARY AS OF:
5/5/2004--Introduced.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit up to $500 of unused health benefits in a plan or other arrangement that provides for a health flexible spending arrangement to be carried forward to the next year of such health flexible spending arrangement or be contributed to a health savings account without affecting the status of such plan or arrangement as a tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plan.
H.R. 4280 Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2004
Posted by on March 12, 2004
H.R. 4280
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2004
Passed by a vote of 229-197 Burgess voted YES
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