[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             IRAQ ELECTION

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, last week the people of Iraq risked life and 
limb to vote. They showed the world that freedom and self determination 
were things worth fighting and dying for.
  The people of Iraq have spoken and in doing so, have undermined the 
terrorists who claim to be the true representatives of the Iraqi 
people.
  No one expects the transition to representative government to be 
easy. After winning independence from Britain, it took our Founding 
Fathers years to draft and adopt a constitution that brought together 
the widely different factions that comprised the original 13 colonies.
  There is one thing that is beyond dispute. The overwhelming majority 
of Iraqis want to live in a free and tolerant society. They have no use 
for the discarded Saddam and his henchmen.
  As this editorial cartoon shows, a seed of democracy has been planted 
in the very heart of the Middle East. As Iraq continues to defeat the 
terrorists and build a flourishing society, the other oppressed peoples 
of this troubled region will demand and seize the same freedom for 
themselves. The mullahs of Iran should take note and realize that their 
people will throw them out sooner or later.
  Again, I wish to congratulate the people of Iraq on their successful 
election.

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