[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            IRAQI ELECTIONS

  (Mr. DeLAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, as we look back through history, there are 
shining examples of men and women removing a murderous tyrant's regime 
from power and in its place building a government that represents the 
will of a free people with the right to choose their own path and 
control their own future. Iraq is yet another shining example for other 
oppressed people throughout the world to look to for hope and 
encouragement.
  History was made on Sunday, and the American people observed this, 
knowing that our efforts have created a society of hope and liberty, as 
well as new friends who share our vision of freedom. Two days ago, 
millions of ordinary people stood in line for hours for the opportunity 
to do an extraordinary thing we too often take for granted.
  For weeks leading up to Sunday's election, terrorists threatened 
violence upon any Iraqi who defied their will and dared cast a ballot. 
And sure enough, as soon as the polls opened and the long lines formed, 
the terrorists came calling. While the troops of our liberating 
coalition, working closely with newly trained Iraqi forces, sprang into 
action, capturing and killing the insurgents, the voters waited 
patiently in line, in humble defiance of evil. For 2 years, America's 
troops have been deployed abroad, and for 2 years they have served 
honorably and heroically. Sunday, that service was affirmed by 8 
million Iraqis who took it upon themselves to take the next steps 
towards their freedom.
  What has been proven in the United States, and now in Iraq, is that a 
free society will not and cannot be deterred by violence, nor will it 
be held hostage by the evil will of terrorists. Today the people of 
Iraq share a common bond with Americans. The experience of freedom and 
liberty that was born on American soil is taking root in Iraq.
  But Sunday's elections will not end the violence, nor the sacrifices 
we will make to ensure the freedom and security of the Iraqi people. I 
will tell you what is next. Despite the violent days that still lie 
ahead and despite the partisan rhetoric now being spouted to undermine 
the significance of Sunday's victory for freedom, the free people of 
Iraq know the truth. Two years ago Iraq was ruled by a brutal dictator. 
Just 13 months ago, coalition forces marked the end of the beginning 
when they captured the brutal dictator, Saddam Hussein. Today, it is a 
free democracy, an ally in the war on terror, and a lesson to everyone 
suffering under the oppressive rule of a hostile tyrant.
  Freedom and terrorism cannot coexist; and last weekend in Iraq, we 
learned the inevitable result of that conflict. Iraq is free, her 
people are free, and they will no longer be held hostage by evil men 
and evil terrorists. Sunday in Iraq history was made by the people who 
showed up; and by the courage of 8 million patient souls, terrorism was 
struck another blow.
  Because of those souls, and all the Iraqi men and women who made 
Sunday possible, we honor their commitment to freedom and will continue 
to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

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