The Struggle Against Terrorism

The Struggle Against Terrorism

The global war on terror is being fought in many different places using a variety of tactics and strategies. While first responders and community leaders are doing their part to keep our homeland secure and ready to respond, American armed forces are attacking terrorists on the front lines in the Middle East. America's commitment to fighting the global war on terror has kept our homeland safe. Police officers, fire fighters, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are working hard to prevent the enemy from attacking America. Each plays an important role and we are safer because of their dedication.

America is fortunate because our military is the best that has ever walked the earth. The elimination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a tremendous achievement for our armed forces and a huge victory in the ongoing war on terror. The death of al-Zarqawi provides needed relief for Iraqi citizens and for others who have been affected by him, the most wanted terrorist in Iraq.

Everyone knows that Zarqawi was a very bad man. As a leader in the Al Qaeda network, he worked as the operational commander of the terrorist movement in Iraq. He masterminded car bombing campaigns, assassinations, and suicide attacks that resulted in the deaths of many American forces and thousands of innocent Iraqis. But now, the man who once personally beheaded American hostages is no longer a threat to anyone.

This is great news for Americans and it's even better news for Iraqis. Al Qaeda is dazed and on the run. The loss of a charismatic leader coupled with the amount of the new and detailed intelligence that has been uncovered as a result of the successful elimination of al-Zarqawi and his closest advisors is aiding our troops to find more terrorists and root them out. American and Iraqi forces have conducted over 450 new raids since al-Zarqawi's death and which have resulted in the capture of more than 750 anti-Iraqi elements. And with each individual group raided - more information is learned and additional foes are eliminated.

Neutralizing the terrorist threat in Iraq is critical to its future and eradicating these terrorists is as important to Americans as it is to the rest of the world.

The struggle against terrorism continues. I am proud of our men and women in uniform who stand in harms way. I am proud that this great country stands for good and opposes evil. I am proud that this Congress and this President understand that freedom is God's gift to all mankind, and that evil tolerated is evil assisted.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/oh02_schmidt/terrorism.html