August 23, 2007 - Congressman Trent Franks gave the following remarks in response to the speech given by President George W. Bush yesterday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri:

"The President gave a clear and compelling reminder of the purpose and historical context of the war against terrorism - not merely a 'clash of civilizations,' but an all-out struggle for civilization, a struggle to preserve the very ideology we call freedom.  America is at a crossroads, and we must realize as a nation that we have been here before, in the recurring battle to preserve liberty, whether in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam, and ultimately our choice between victory and defeat in Iraq will alter the destinies of millions of innocent people. 

“The only time history can predict the future with certainty is when we ignore it completely.   Now more than ever, as successes continue to build in Iraq, terrorists cannot afford to see us prevail; Americans must be more vigilant than ever here in our homeland, and we must continue to extend our unwavering support to our armed forces abroad.

“As the President said, ‘There is no power like the power of freedom and no soldier as strong as a soldier who fights for a free future for his children.’