Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-17) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s address on Libya at the National Defense University:
“Tonight, the President set forth our mission and the nature of our involvement in Libya. From the very beginning, the President has worked in partnership with the international community to enforce a ‘no-fly zone’ to prevent the slaughter of so many innocent civilians. Through swift action, the United States has averted what could have been a catastrophic genocide.
“The President has said that our military involvement will be limited in time and scope and my constituents do not want a third war. This is a conflict that must be resolved not solely by the United States, but by NATO, the United Nations, our international allies, and, most importantly, the citizens of Libya, who deserve democracy, not a dictatorship. I believe that ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches the Libyan people is the right approach.
“Tonight my thoughts are with our brave men and women in uniform and their families. As always, I remain forever thankful for their service and sacrifice, and I wish the Libyan people safety and security in these tough times.”
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.