Karen Van Fossan's Testimony in Support of SCR 4022 (Senate)
February 22, 2007
Chair Cook and Members of the Political Subdivisions Committee:
My name is Karen Van Fossan, and I stand before you today on behalf of the more than 650 members and volunteers of the North Dakota Peace Coalition. I am here to present signatures of more than 600 North Dakotans who call for an end to the Iraq war. These signatures have been gathered through in-person and on-line petition drives, and signatures keep coming in statewide. I firmly believe that the people of North Dakota are ready to bring our troops home.
As American people, perhaps we all concern ourselves with honor. We are asked, “Does this resolution honor our country? Does this resolution honor victory? Does this resolution honor the troops?” Our answer to all these questions: Absolutely yes.
Honoring our country: By design, in a democratic country, the people are to have a voice. That is the nature of elections, public forums, legislation, and this very hearing today. It is precisely what our government is there to do. We in North Dakota are among 25 states that are bringing forward actions of this kind. In a democracy, we as North Dakotans have a right — and more than that, a responsibility — to participate in the national debate. This is how we give honor to our democratic country.
Honoring victory: To quote Rev. Chris Alexander, “There is no greater victory than doing the right thing at the right time.” In the beginning, many Iraqi people welcomed US troops with open arms. Since that time, 8 out of 10 Iraqi people say it is time for the US to go. We are told that our mission in Iraq was to extend democracy. If we truly value democracy in Iraq, we must heed the voices of the people of Iraq. That is the nature of democracy — self-determination, freedom, liberty. That is the mission our troops enlisted to serve.
Honoring our troops: Many, many of us in the North Dakota Peace Coalition are veterans. Some are on active duty. All hold the troops in high esteem. The troops are our neighbors, our loved ones, our children, and oftentimes ourselves. I try to understand, but it's difficult for me to understand, the claim we hear sometimes that we don't support the troops. This is so far from my experience, so far from the experience of anybody I know who advocates for peace. The US troops in Iraq — 7 out of 10 — say it's time for the war to end. We honor their mission, their courage, their sacrifice, and also their recommendation, that it's truly time to come home.
As Sen. Mathern has testified, there are five reasons to support SCR 4022. Mr. Chuck Suchy, Dr. Janet Moen, and Ms. KayCee Huus will address Reason 1. Mr. Paul Dyer, Mr. Cameron White, Dr. Vinod Seth, and Dr. Herb Wilson will address Reason 2. Dr. Lew Lubka will address Reason 3. Mr. Don Morrison will address Reason 4. Sr. Maris Stella Korb, Rev. Jim Moos, and Rev. Chris Alexander will address Reason 5.
Following the hearing, we invite everyone of us gathered here, whatever view we hold, to join together for a brief Circle of Peace in the Atrium by the “In Their Shoes” exhibit. The Circle of Peace will be a time to meditate, pray, sing, and hope for peace. I trust that we all long for peace, one way or another. I respectfully urge you to give a “Do Pass” recommendation to SCR 4022. I would be honored to respond to any questions.