U.S. Rep. John Tanner helped kickoff the Soybean Festival Tuesday. Tanner was the guest speaker at the Mayor's Kickoff Luncheon held at the UC.

"Soybean is a miracle plant," said Tanner. "Soybean is what will be a future necessity to feed and serve humanity."

"This is a war like none other we have seen," said Tanner "Innocent American civilians were attacked in our homeland."

"On Sept. 11, something happened that had never happened before; article five of the NATO Charter was enforced. Article five means that if one member of a nation is attacked then all members of that nation are under attack. It is one pledge." Tanner has been a member of NATO for eight years. He said our best defenses are gathering accurate information and having an accurate military defense. He also spoke of the new Homeland Security Bill that was passed this July.

"The purpose of the new Homeland Security Bill is to get all information into one room. Put all the information from customers, FBI, Defense Department and CIA into one room so we can pinpoint the problem, put on screen and connect the dots," said Tanner. "Homeland Security Bill is not perfect, but is a step in the right direction."

Tanner also said we needed unity from members of Congress and American citizens. He said this was a war that affects every man, woman and child.

"There are two good points in focus with regard to the threat of terrorism. One being Homeland Security, and the other being unprecedented support from allies and with that going for us we are able to work through problems and do all that we are capable of doing. Over time, hopefully the forces of evil can be demolished," Tanner told the audience.

With respect to the Bush administration's talk of overthrowing Saddam Hussein, Tanner urged the president to seek a consensus of the American people through their elected representatives in Congress.

"I was in the Navy during the Vietnam era and I saw how our county was divided over whether we should prosecute the war or withdraw our forces. Our country does not need to repeat that mistake in Iraq." "The Middle East is a very contentious part of the world and we have to be very careful and the American people need the clear and cogent reasons that are necessary for us to commit our resources in Iraq for an extended period of time," replied Tanner.

"We must be mindful of the fact that Saddam has no navy or air force that has any capability to hit the United States," said Tanner, "The only vehicle available for such a military effort would be through terrorists. I am told there is a lack of evidence to suggest that Saddam is associated with the Al-Qaida terrorist network or other like-minded organizations. Therefore it is incumbent upon the administration it inform the Congress and the American people of the urgency involved in this military action some are proposing."

Congress reconvenes Wednesday, Sept 4, and the first order of business will be the war on terrorism.

Tanner represents Tennessee's 8th Congressional district. He is a member of the House of Ways and Means Committee. For more information on the latest war efforts and what's going on in your district visit www.house.gov/tanner. Sponsors of the Soybean Festival are the city of Martin, UTM, Union City Coca-Cola Bottling Co., First Citizens National Bank and soybean producers of Tennessee, all of who were recognized at the luncheon.

<I>The staff writer's father, Joe Hill, is an administrative aide to U.S. Rep. John Tanner.</I>