[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 9 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FREE ELECTIONS IN IRAQ

  (Mr. KINGSTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I dipped my finger in purple ink today in 
symbolic unity and in support of the free election in Iraq, the first 
free election in the history of that country. Their actions this 
weekend were not about America or necessarily an endorsement of 
everything we are doing, although I think that was an effect of it; but 
their actions were really about a free country, about democracy, about 
choice, about self-government and self-determination, throwing off the 
shackles of oppression and joining the world community. A 57 percent 
voter turnout in the face and threat of death and destruction. Compare 
that to America, 61 percent just this November, and it was the highest 
voting turnout in 38 years. Or in my home county in Savannah, Georgia, 
Chatham County, the last time we elected a Governor, we had a 48 
percent voter turnout and no one was threatened with death or suicide 
bombers or anything like that.
  It took America 7 years to win the Revolutionary War and then it was 
not until 1789 that we threw out the Articles of Confederation and 
adopted our Constitution. It has taken us many, many years. For Iraq 
they have many struggling years ahead, but they have taken a very 
important first step.

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