The Honorable Jack Reed's Speech Before the Democratic National Convention, Thursday, July 29, 2004 /EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY OF SPEECH, SCHEDULED FOR 4:56 P.M. EDT TODAY, JULY 29/ BOSTON, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a speech by the Honorable Jack Reed at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, July 29, 2004: My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, at this moment of great challenges abroad and home, we need the leadership of John Kerry. Leadership tested in the jungles of Vietnam as a swift boat commander. Leadership tempered through years of dedicated service in the United States Senate. Leadership attuned to the need to support and strengthen our Armed Forces and intelligence agencies while building bridges to our allies throughout the world. John Kerry will ensure that our fighting men and women have all the resources they need -- from body armor to armored vehicles -- to carry out their mission effectively and safely. John Kerry has a plan to increase the size of the Army so that our military is not stretched too thin. And he has a plan so that our National Guard men and women are not called away from the families and jobs for more time then needed. But John Kerry also understands that national security relies not just on a strong military. He plans to strengthen our defenses against our enemies with an ambitious and aggressive diplomatic and intelligence plan. John Kerry will work with our allies and earn back the world's trust so that America once again leads with strong alliances and our nation is not left exposed and alone. He will transform our intelligence services by maximizing coordination among those agencies, and making sure that we have the personnel at home and abroad to get the job done. And he will embrace the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to prevent another terrorist attack in the country. We face great challenges around the world and here at home. But John Kerry has faced great challenges before. Under his leadership we will endure and, with wisdom and courage, we will prevail. Source: Democratic National Convention Committee CONTACT: Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee, +1-617-366-3100 Web site: http://www.dems2004.org/