Commending the Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res 408) commending the Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to the Global War on Terror, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, this resolution properly recognizes the government of Canada for its commitment to the global war on terror.

As you know, Madam Speaker, we have forged strong relations with our neighbor to the north, and we are united by common ideals and shared interests. Relations between the U.S. and Canada are strong, and our cooperation in the global war on terrorism is productive and robust.

The arrest of 17 alleged homegrown Islamic jihadists in Canada last week was a vivid reminder that we are in this war together. Canadian prosecutors claim the men plotted to storm the Canadian Parliament building in Ottawa, take hostages, and behead Prime Minister Stephen Harper if the Canadian Government refused to withdraw its 2,300 troops now stationed in Afghanistan. The group also considered bombing a nuclear power plant, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and other targets in Toronto or Ottawa. I praise Canadian law enforcement and their security forces for their excellent work in closing down that terror cell.

Last month, Madam Speaker, the Canadian Parliament voted to extend Canada's peace and security mission in Afghanistan for another 2 years, until 2009. Canada is a steadfast partner in the global war on terror. Canada has roughly 2,300 defense personnel in Afghanistan and is leading the efforts against a resurgent Taliban and al Qaeda force in southern Afghanistan and is working to combat narcotics trafficking there.

Canada has also pledged $650 million in developmental aid to Afghanistan; and Afghanistan, as it turns out, is Canada's largest recipient of bilateral development aid.

Madam Speaker, it is worth remembering that 24 Canadian citizens were killed as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Seventeen Canadian military personnel have been killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Last month Canadian Captain Nichola Goddard was killed in the line of duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This is the ultimate sacrifice, and we certainly mourn her loss and the sacrifices made by her fellow soldiers.

We appreciate in America the role Canada plays in hemispheric and global peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, in Haiti, in Darfur, and in other conflict areas.

Madam Speaker, President Bush met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada and President Vicente Fox of Mexico 2 months ago to move ahead with new initiatives to promote competitiveness and security. The Security and Prosperity Partnership, or SPP, for North America is a bold set of activities to strengthen our borders, promote free and secure commerce and air transportation, and to harmonize the regulatory process.

Canada is taking actions on flashpoints around the world. After Hamas' election victory and refusal to repudiate violence, Canada was the first nation in the world to cut off contacts and suspend assistance to the Palestinian Authority, while preserving humanitarian support for the Palestinian people. Canada listed in like manner the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or the LTTE, as a terrorist group under their criminal code, impeding terrorist financing of the LTTE and other forms of support.

Prime Minister Harper intervened personally with Afghan President Karzai to insist that the religious and civil rights of a Christian convert, Abdul Rahman, be fully protected and to convey Canada's concern that his treatment not undermine Afghanistan's international rehabilitation. At the U.N., Canada is, and hopefully will always be, a steadfast supporter for Israel.

In sum, though we may not always be in lock-step in our policies and our approach, Canada remains a steadfast ally on the war on terrorism and a promoter of democracy and freedom throughout the world.

I urge support for the concurrent resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, but I do want to thank Chairman Burton for sponsoring this very important resolution. We often forget just how important our friend is to the north. Canada is a reliable ally, a good friend in thick and thin; so, again, I want to thank Chairman Burton for sponsoring this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.

Since the Taliban's ouster in Afghanistan, great strides have been made on the path towards democracy in that country. A freely elected president and parliament, a nascent professional national army, and the beginnings of economic development were all accomplished through nearly 5 years of development assistance and military commitments by our country and the international community.

But the future of a stable, peaceful, and democratic Afghanistan is still gravely threatened. A resurgent Taliban with increasing terrorist attacks, the slow pace of reconstruction, and the scourge of opium poppies are reversing the tide of success. We may be nearing the point where we can lose Afghanistan again.

It is in times like these when we learn who our true friends are in our global war against the enemies of democracy and freedom. During these critical moments, we come to appreciate more fully those countries that are willing to place their soldiers in harm's way in the international fight against terrorism, extremism, and tyranny.

In the case of the international efforts in Afghanistan, Canada is one such country. Our neighbor Canada has 2,200 troops serving in Afghanistan. Canada has also assumed responsibility for the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar, which was originally established by our own military.

In Kandahar, Canadian men and women are at the forefront of the coalition effort to combat the resurgent

Taliban and other terrorist forces in the lawless southern portion of the country. Since 2002, the Canadian people have lost 16 soldiers and one diplomat in this struggle. Last month on the same day that the Canadian Parliament voted to extend its mission in Afghanistan, Canada suffered its first-ever female combat death. We honor the ultimate sacrifice that Captain Nichola Goddard made in service to her country and salute the brave efforts of all the men and women in uniform, Canadian and American, who fight shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan.

Madam Speaker, I urge all NATO members to follow Canada's example and commit troops to even the most violent areas of Afghanistan.

I strongly support our resolution and ask all of my colleagues to do so as well.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 408.