Congressman Ed Pastor of Arizona sat on his hands and did not stand in the well of the House to debate the issue everyone in America is discussing where two or more are gathered.

The war in Iraq is the most important issue facing America today.

Its impact has been felt in every community across America. Americans in large cities to small communities have been affected by the Iraq war. Each death and wounded soldier impacts families with a wife and children in one community, parents in another community, grandparents and friends still yet in other communities. The mourning of American soldiers spreads across America like a ravaging cancer spreading its pillage of death throughout the Heartland of America.

The cost of the war in Iraq has been a calamity with more than 3,133 American soldiers killed and over 23,530 American soldiers wounded with some loosing an arm, some a leg, some two legs, all doing their duty to protect America. These American soldiers did their duty with honor and some have given the ultimate sacrifice robbing parents of their sons, wives of their husbands and children of their dads.

These American soldiers did their duty.

The congressman failed to do his duty.

The congressman failed to do his duty to stand up in the well of the House and debate to bring Americans home from the war in Iraq or support the George Bush surge to send more troops to Iraq. The congressman sat silent on his hands. Some have said silence is betrayal.

Americans everywhere have been adversely impacted by the war in Iraq. At a cost of over 500 billion dollars, Katrina victims have been forgotten, school funds have been redirected to Iraq, 45 million persons have gone uninsured, and a very long litany continues of the shortages Americans are forced to endure. 

For four days this week, as one member after another rose to praise or condemn President Bush's approach to the deepening violence in that ancient cradle of civilization, all except one expressed sharp outrage or staunch support.

In some cases, the men and women who rose to discuss the war chose eloquent words reminiscent of great national debates in the past. Their arguments were filled with history, moral certainty and passion.

It wasn't uncommon to hear reverent references to the Constitution, to the words and deeds of such historical giants as Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Winston Churchill.

Here are some weighty snippets from the war debate:

• Tim Walz, D-Minn.: "This debate has been going on for nearly four years in houses, in grocery stores, in workplaces, in houses of worship all across America. No greater responsibility rests with us, the people's representatives, than debating the decisions involved in waging a war.

I, like all Americans, wish nothing more than this president had made good decisions and that the situation in Iraq were better. Unfortunately, wishful thinking does not make good foreign policy. But, fortunately, the genius of the founders of this nation is on display right now.

This Congress, by taking this first step of oversight and accountability, and passing this resolution, will begin to right the ship of state."

• Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich.: "I share the sentiments Sir Winston Churchill held for Neville Chamberlain: You are an American worthy, who, however the fates may play, will march always in the ranks of honor. Yet, because the resolution thrust before us is a craven exposition of political expediency in a time of national crisis, today many may stray from the ranks of honor.

My friends, history harkens your honorable hearts to reconsider supporting this immoral resolution."

 • Keith Ellison, D-Min.: "I want to say, on behalf of those who really thirst for peace, who believe that peace really is the answer, that we need to look at the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., when he spoke out against the Vietnam War. He said, 'There comes a time when silence is betrayal.' And so it is.

And so, in keeping in line with the legacy of Dr. King, I want to talk about peace today. To those people who believe in the principles of peace and that peaceful dissent that guided Dr. King, those people should know that for you to raise your voice on behalf of peace is a patriotic act, it is a good thing.

So please continue to stand up for peace and never forget that peace is the answer, and peace is going to prevail."

• Ed Pastor, D-Ariz.: ____________________________

Mr. Pastor was silent.  Mr. Pastor chose not to stand in the well of the House like great orators of the past to debate crucial issues facing the Nation.  Instead, Mr. Pastor sat on his hands and did not represent his constituents on debate of the Iraq war: should we bring our American troops home or should we support the military surge of George Bush and kill more American soldiers?

The House of Representatives arose from the desire of the Founders to create a House "of the people" that would represent public opinion by debate in the well of the chamber. Debate is the process enabling the will of the people to be heard. Yesterday, the people of Arizona Congressional District 4 were not represented. Their voices were not heard. Mr. Pastor chose to be silent and not rise to debate the most crucial issue facing District 4 and all of America — Should we bring our American troops home from the killing fields of Iraq or should we send more troops to Iraq?

Residents of Arizona District 4 need visible representation in the House of Representatives. Ed Pastor has served for 16 years and his silence in the well of the House of Representatives and his modus operati for 16 years as always been the same — silence and invisible.

Martin Luther King, Jr., when he spoke out against the Vietnam War, said, "There comes a time when silence is betrayal." And so it is.