Laird Floor Speech on Iraq War Ballot Measure

Text, Video and Audio Available

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today announced that after more than two hours of debate yesterday, the Assembly passed legislation requiring the February presidential primary election to include an initiative on whether President Bush should end the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The bill, SB 924, passed on a party-line vote of 43 to 32.

SB 924, by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) has been sent back to the Senate for a concurrence vote set for this Thursday.

If signed by the governor, the measure will be on the February 5, 2008, presidential primary election ballot.  The question before voters will ask:

Shall President George W. Bush, in support of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, end the United States occupation of Iraq and achieve the immediate, complete, safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces; and further, shall President George W. Bush and the Congress provide the necessary diplomatic and nonmilitary assistance to promote peace and stability in Iraq and the Middle East?

Text of Mr. Laird’s speech: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a27/pdf/JLfloorspeechSB924Iraq.pdf

Video links:

Part 1 (approx 2 mins) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az6BY6HBhjQ

Part 2 (approx 2 mins) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrw0YgO-Ass

Audio link (approx 4 mins.): http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070827SB924LairdFloor.mp3 

Also available, video of Speaker Núñez’s comments on the Assembly floor:

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5yEJJ_Eirs

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL1RlRlxc-4

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ut_SFgq1EY

More information on SB 924: www.senate.ca.gov/perata