As the NATO bombs started falling on Serbia, the Congressional delegation of Kosciusko County was lining up in support of the U.S. airmen involved in the assault.

"We have arrived at a point where there are really no good options to resolve the situation in Kosovo. No one wants to place the men and women of our armed forces in harm's way. At the same time, we cannot stand idly by and watch genocide take place," said Sen. Evan Bayh (D). "Nor can we stand idly by and watch a dictator destabilize a part of Europe from which previous conflicts have led to world war."

Bayh also called for partisan wrangling over the nation's policy in the Balkans to cease while American warplanes are involved in the air raids.

"This is not a time for second-guessing the Administration. Now that our troops are engaged in an armed conflict, our nation must be supportive of their mission, help them accomplish that mission as quickly as possible and get them out of harm's way," he said.

Sen. Richard Lugar was out of Washington, attending his mother's funeral, and had no immediate comment on the attacks, according to press spokesman Andy Fisher.

Representatives Steve Buyer (R-5th Dist.) and Tim Roemer (D-3rd Dist.) expressed their support for the troops involved, but Roemer said he would not support the deployment of ground troops in Kosovo.

"I support limited, defined air strikes by the U.S. and NATO," he said. "We must make every effort to see that these operations are successful and safe.

"I remain opposed, however, to the deployment of U.S. ground troops for several reasons. First, the Administration has failed in its public diplomacy to bring a peace settlement to Kosovo. Ground troops would be sent to 'make peace' rather than 'keep the peace,'" Roemer added. "Second, any deployment of our troops is plainly premature pending the results of the air strikes and the possibility of more diplomatic negotiations."

Buyer said he believes the action is necessary, but now that it is under way, the troops involved deserve the support of the nation, and that support should carry over after hostilities have ceased into greater funding for the military.

"During one of my trips to Bosnia, I sat across from President Milosevic and looked him in the eyes. Never before have I seen such cold eyes," he said. "This man cannot be trusted. We must treat Milosevic no differently than how we treat Saddam Hussein.

"As I continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the restoration of the health and readiness of our Armed Forces, I ask for the continued support of our troops, not only in spirit, but in ensuring they remain properly trained and equipped to meet our national security challenges," he said. [[In-content Ad]]