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Watson Leads Defeat of Democrat Resolution That
Would Demoralize Our Troops
Springfield, IL – With
the Illinois General Assembly continuing its Overtime Session, the House
Democrats yesterday called for a vote on a Resolution that urges the rapid
withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
State Representative Jim Watson
led the charge to defeat the Democrat-sponsored Resolution that would demoralize
our troops. In a strongly-worded debate, Watson argued that this was the wrong
thing to do at the wrong time.
“We are in an Overtime Session
caused by the failure of the Democrat leadership in this state,” Watson said.
“There’s no budget and no electric rate relief for my constituents. Why in the
world are we discussing an Iraq War Resolution when there are so many pressing
state issues not being addressed?”
Watson, a veteran of Operation
Desert Storm, believes House Resolution 173 would send the wrong message to our
troops.
“I can tell you that our
soldiers in harm’s way would see this Resolution as a slap in the face,” Watson
stated. “It would be demoralizing to our troops in Iraq and to our National
Guard and Reserves that are being called up for service.”
Just one week ago, the 3637th
Maintenance Company left Springfield bound for Iraq. And on Monday,
Representative Watson attended the funeral of Army Cpl. Jeremiah “Jeremy”
Costello in Carlinville. Costello was killed in Iraq when an improvised
explosive device detonated near the truck he was driving.
“We must never forget the
sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform,” Watson said. “I am
pleased that the House of Representatives agreed with me and defeated this
ill-conceived Resolution.”
House Resolution 173 was
defeated on a voice vote by a majority of House members.
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