Mr. Speaker, this is a moment that I had hoped would never come. I am rising for the 250th time to oppose the occupation of Iraq. It's a sad task, because 250 times means that the occupation has dragged on and on nearly 5 years.

I had hoped that my first speech would be my last, or my 50th or even my 100th, but the administration continued to follow its blind and destructive path year after year. As the saying goes, ``All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good people do nothing.''

So, to be sure, I have raised my voice time and time again on this floor to protest the administration's folly and hold it accountable for its reckless actions and its reckless policies.

The American people have raised their voices, also, Mr. Speaker. They have said that they want an end to this occupation and a responsible redeployment of our troops. But our leaders in the White House, who first turned a deaf ear to the people of the world when they invaded Iraq, continue to turn a deaf ear to their very own people in the United States of America.

What makes this occasion even sadder for me is that I will have to rise many more times before the occupation ends because the administration has made it absolutely clear that it will continue its occupation right to the bitter end of its term in office.

And I fear that the occupation may go on long after that. A leading Republican Presidential candidate said that he has no problem with the occupation lasting 100 years. No problem. And this same candidate said the other day, and I quote, ``There's going to be other wars.'' This is exactly the kind of ``shoot-first, ask-questions-later'' thinking that got us into trouble in Iraq in the first place.

Fortunately, the Democratic Presidential candidates have a different mindset, a mindset that uses diplomacy and international cooperation to solve problems, not war. But the current administration is working hard to tie the hands of the very next President. It's negotiating to establish permanent bases in Iraq. And it is planning to keep troop levels absolutely as high as possible.

Remember all the sweet talk, Mr. Speaker, last September about possible troop cuts? It was an absolute sham. And what are we getting for the tragedy of Iraq? Are we any safer? Absolutely not. In fact, the director of National Intelligence has warned that al Qaeda is getting stronger in its cozy safe haven in Pakistan, and that they are busy training more and more operatives.

A whole new generation is growing up in occupied Iraq. Their memories begin after U.S. forces rolled in. Since electricity and water and basic services have been on the fritz. Since whole neighborhoods have become wandering refugees. Many have never known the cultural gems of their own country. This cannot bode well for the region.

Secretary of State Rice has admitted that the Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan. And the report of the Congressional Commission on the National Guard and Reserves found that there is an ``appalling gap'' in our ability to defend the homeland because of Guard and Reserve redeployments to Iraq.

Meanwhile, we are squandering $12 billion per month on the occupation while our economy slides into recession and the American people face the loss of their jobs, their health care, and their homes. Let's be clear, Mr. Speaker, the main reason we are in this recession is because of the senseless and unending occupation of Iraq.

And our brave men and women in uniform, what about them? They're paying a very high price for this occupation. Every day, five U.S. soldiers try to commit suicide because the frequency of deployment has put tremendous stress on them and their families. This is simply unacceptable and a national disgrace if we do not act to reverse this trend.

Mr. Speaker, I will be back on this floor talking about this some more, but this is my 250th time, and I want you to know, it's time that this occupation be over.