Terry Everett, July 21, 2003

Last week, British Prime Minister Tony Blair delivered a joint address to the U.S. Congress concerning the destiny of our two great nations, as we fight side by side to overcome the terrorist evil which has enveloped the world. In my eleven years in the U.S. House of Representatives I have heard many speeches, but Blair's was one of the most powerful in defining America's role in history as a positive force for advancing peace and the universal rights of man.

While the national media spent much of its time last week questioning the Bush Administration's rationale in toppling Saddam's regime, Prime Minister Blair, whose remarks were largely overlooked by the press, put the issue into proper focus. Operation Iraqi Freedom was absolutely necessary as America continues to wage the war on terrorism.

"I feel a most urgent sense of mission about today's world," Blair told Congress. "September 11 was not an isolated event, but a tragic prologue; Iraq, another Act; and many further struggles will be set upon this stage before it's over."

In referring to Iraq and other rogue nations' potential threat as supporters of terrorism, Blair noted the risk is too great to ignore. "Can we be sure that terrorism and (weapons of mass destruction) will join together? Let us say one thing. If we are wrong, we have destroyed a threat that, at its least is responsible for inhuman carnage and suffering. That is something I am confident history will forgive. But if our critics are wrong, if we are right as I believe with every fibre of instinct and conviction I have that we are, and we do not act, then we will have hesitated in face of this menace, when we should have given leadership. That is something history will not forgive."

The British Prime Minister, whose nation was the first to support our military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, noted the difficulty of the task ahead and the special partnership the United States and the United Kingdom have forged to ensure that our people can continue to live in freedom.

"I know it's hard on America. And in some small corner of this vast country out in Nevada or Idaho, these places I've never been but always wanted to go, there's a guy getting on with his life, perfectly happily, minding his own business, saying to you the political leaders of this nation: Why me? Why us? Why America? And the only answer is: because destiny put you in this place in history, in this moment in time and the task is yours to do.

"And our job, my nation that watched you grow, that you've fought alongside and now fights alongside you, that takes enormous pride in our alliance and great affection in our common bond, our job is to be there with you. You're not going to be alone. We'll be with you in this fight for liberty. And if our spirit is right, and our courage firm, the world will be with us."

For his courage in leading his nation alongside America, as we jointly fight for freedom at home and for hope for millions overseas, the U.S. House has passed by unanimous consent, the Congressional Gold Medal bill honoring British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The honor will be presented to him in the coming months. To read the complete text of Prime Minister Blair's speech to Congress last week, visit my website at http://www.house.gov/everett.

Congressman Terry Everett represents the 2nd Congressional District of Alabama in the U.S. House of Representatives.