“I spoke on the House floor earlier this week to tell America why this resolution will only embolden our enemy and demoralize our troops,” Shuster said.  “After listening to the debate throughout the week, my position has not changed.  This is nothing more than an empty political stunt to set the stage for legislation to de-fund our troops in the field.”

Video of Congressman Shuster’s floor statement can be viewed on the congressman’s website or by following this link: http://www.house.gov/shuster/video/iraq-high.wmv.

“We are on the verge of a very slippery slope with today’s vote.  Ending our commitment to the people of Iraq hands a substantial victory to the terrorists who wish to turn Iraq into the founding state of a world-wide regime.  If we leave, the threat does not melt away.  It only becomes stronger,” Shuster said.

This week’s legislation is the first step in a plan announced by the House Democratic Leadership to slowly remove, or “choke-off” funding from our soldiers fighting Islamic fundamentalists.  Instead of cutting off funding in one step, the plan would create so much red tape that the troops would not be able to be fielded. 

“Taking the bullets from our soldier’s guns, the fuel from their HUMVEES, and the body armor from their backs is not a strategy, it’s an admittance of defeat.”

 “I am disappointed that the Democrats denied any opportunity to allow a substitute to their legislation to even be considered for debate,” Shuster said.  “I cosponsored legislation introduced by Representative Sam Johnson, a decorated Vietnam Veteran who spent years of brutal captivity as a prisoner of war. His legislation would prevent Congress from cutting funding for the war. He knows first hand the pain of seeing Congress vote to cut support to America’s soldiers at war.”

“Sam Johnson gave an impassioned, wrenching speech before today’s vote and one quote of his should be remembered when the idea of cutting funds for our troops is raised.  He said that ‘The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.’”

A Copy of Congressman Johnson’s floor speech is attached to this release for your review.  A video of his speech can be viewed on his website at http://www.samjohnson.house.gov.

“The Democrat’s plan is dangerous for the immediate safety of our troops and our longer term victory over Islamic fundamentalism. If we pull support from our own troops, what kind of signal does that send to our allies who have soldiers fighting along side our own?  What does it tell our allies who rely on us for diplomatic support?” 

#### 

Johnson’s floor statement follows:

“You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.   

“I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.

“I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.

“Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life – and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.

“I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement.  I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War – weighing just 140 pounds.  And tomorrow – 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas – a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.

“While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims… for 72 days….

“As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn’t walk.  The following day, they put me in leg irons… for 2 ½ years.  That’s when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle – with a foot-long bar connecting the legs. 

“I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand… and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.

“But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back.

“Instead, I try to see the silver lining.  I say that because in some way … I’m living a dream…a hope I had for the future.

“From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 – I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly…

“And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when – not if – we returned home. 

“We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America. 

“We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it… We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.

“So – little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth… I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm’s way….and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt. 

“We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam.  I know what it does to morale and mission success.  Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.

“Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home…tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.

“We must never, ever let that happen again.

“The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.
“Our troops – and their families – want, need and deserve the full support of the country – and the Congress.  Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm’s way without support.

“Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress.  He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.

“There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy.  Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq.  It’s alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq – maybe to Iran.  And Iraq’s closed its borders with Iran and Syria.  The President changed course and offered a new plan …we are making progress.  We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.

“Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.

“The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops…Just ask John Murtha about his ‘slow-bleed’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harm’s way.

“Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home – and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it…and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.

“Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past… instead learn from them.

“We must not cut funding for our troops.  We must stick by them.  We must support them all the way…To our troops we must remain…always faithful.

“God bless you and I salute you all.  Thank you.”