Sam
Johnson on Afghanistan: Give our troops the tools they need for
victory so they can return home with honor
September
23, 2009
Today
on the floor of the U.S. House, 29-year Air Force veteran and
former Prisoner of War in Vietnam for nearly seven years, U.S.
Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) urged the President
to listen to the military experts on the ground in Afghanistan
to give the troops “the tools they want, need and deserve
for victory so they can return home with honor.”
Johnson’s
floor speech comes in the wake of major news developments on Afghanistan.
Recently, General McChyrstal, the top Army General in charge of
U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said U.S. military efforts
“will likely result in failure” unless more troops
are sent in the next year. Appearing on five Sunday morning news
programs on September 20th, the President confessed doubt about
the need for more troops and discussed how he will not swiftly
move forward with plans on Afghanistan. Johnson maintains that
this represents a sharp departure from the President’s March
27, 2009 speech when the President unveiled a new strategy on
Afghanistan and Pakistan. To read the President’s full March
27, 2009 speech text, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-a-New-Strategy-for-Afghanistan-and-Pakistan/.
Johnson
represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties. To watch Johnson’s
floor statement, visit his official You Tube Channel, and view
“Stand strong for freedom” at http://www.youtube.com/user/RepSamJohnson.
Remarks
delivered on the floor of the U.S. House:
“I
bet Osama Bin Laden and his buddies are high fiving each other
in their caves after hearing that the Administration is soft pedaling
on its promise for an aggressive fight in Afghanistan. In March,
the President unveiled a new plan for success for Afghanistan
and Pakistan. Sadly now he is singing a different tune –
at just the wrong time.
“General
McChyrstal recently warned that America and our allies are in
danger of losing the war if we do not
create a bold new strategy for America that requires more troops.
“The
President should heed the General’s advice and stand strong
for freedom and security by giving our troops the tools they want,
need and deserve for victory so they
can return home with honor.
“To
quote the President, ‘the world cannot afford the price
that will come due if Afghanistan slides back into chaos.’”
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