[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2004

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, consider this scenario: ``The formation of 
a free and democratic society is being hampered by internal and 
external strife. The drafting of a constitution encounters opposition 
and various parties within the country are struggling for power. The 
economy is underdeveloped and there is little order. The people are 
unsure of their future and this promise of democracy. It would take 
decades for this democracy to truly flourish and become the republic 
that it is today.'' That's the history of America, Mr. Speaker. The 
people of Iraq, a year after their liberation, are facing many of the 
same obstacles of early Americans. However, they have accomplished more 
in one year than the United States accomplished in a decade--they have 
drafted a working constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and 
worship, freedom of expression, freedom to peacefully assemble and 
demonstrate, freedom to organize political parties, freedom to join 
unions and the right to equal treatment under the law. This progress is 
unprecedented.
  365 days ago, our troops, along with other coalition forces, entered 
the country of Iraq to liberate a badly battered and abused population. 
Our troops performed with determination and tenacity: they were given 
their mission and performed brilliantly. Now, because of their 
accomplishment, 24 million people live in a country that has voiced its 
dedication to freedom and democracy. Unfortunately, there are those in 
this country that lack the same resolve to freedom and democracy. At 
the first sign of opposition and test of honor they run and hide behind 
words such as ``quagmire.'' This wavering support is disheartening at 
best and it undermines the incredible accomplishments of our troops, 
especially those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. It also 
undermines the determination of the Iraqi people to establish a 
democracy--deeming them incapable and incompetent.
  Even as we speak here today, progress is being made in Iraq. As 
chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee I've visited Iraq and 
witnessed first-hand their accomplishments. With our help, they have 
surpassed prewar peak electrical generation levels and are on track to 
be generating at 140 percent over their prewar level by June. Water 
facilities are currently operating at 65 percent of prewar levels, 
mostly due to years of neglect, electricity shortages and post-war 
looting of plant and emergency generators. Current projects include the 
rehabilitation of 15 water treatment facilities and portions of the 
Sweet Water Canal to Basrah. These projects will benefit over 14.5 
million Iraqis and provide a future for water reliability.
  One year ago this country, along with our allies, made the decision 
to topple a tyrannical regime, liberate a people, and help build a 
democracy in the heart of a terrorist breeding ground. Our troops have 
done, and continue to do, their part. It is time for all leaders in 
America to do their part: we must stand by the Iraqi people and 
government as they begin their long and challenging journey towards 
freedom. Our own past demonstrates that democracy is messy; at times 
there will be setbacks and frustrations, but in the end, freedom is 
worth every sacrifice.

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