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Hate to say this, but you are simply playing semantic games here.

The constitiution does not spell out "how" congress must declare war. There is no "magic phraseology" involved.

The President of the United States asked Congress for approval in using the Armed Forces of the United States against Iraq. Congress replied:

"The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to-- (1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq;..." [Section 3 of "Authorization for Use of
Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002"]

10/10/2002: Passed House by the Yeas and Nays: 296 - 133 (Roll no. 455).
10/11/2002: Passed Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 23. Record Vote Number: 237.
10/16/2002: Signed by President.
10/16/2002: Became Public Law No: 107-243.

A Declaration is defined as being "an explicit, formal announcement, either oral or written." (Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

War is defined as "a state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties."
(same source)

Therefore, when congress publically states that the president is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States "as he sees fit" in order to defend the country from attacks by a foreign power (in this case Iraq), they HAVE declared that a situation war exists between the parties (US vs. Iraq). The act of authorization is the same as if the US had actually physically attacked the other party. The state of war exists, even it it is currently a "cold" war.

Congress does not have the power to "pledge the resources of the United States. This woudl assume that the Congress in some way has "power" over the resouces which it does not. Congress simply acts as our representative in a deliberative body. In decisions of war, the Congress (supposedly in tune with thier constituents) deliberates the matter and either authorizes the President to conduct war or not.