[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1755-H1756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 GOOD WORK OF OUR ARMED FORCES IN IRAQ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, you know, over the break I had the 
opportunity to spend some time in the Middle East. And just this past 
week I have returned from Israel, Jordan, Iraq, visiting with our men 
and women in uniform, and talking with them about their impressions of 
how we are doing in the war on terrorism, talking with them about what 
they see as their strengths and the weaknesses and what we can be doing 
better.
  And, you know, the progress is really remarkable. These men and women 
in uniform are really remarkable. I had last traveled to Iraq in 
October 2003, and at that time the coalition forces had removed Saddam 
Hussein's regime, and the Coalition Provisional Authority governed the 
nation, and there was still a lot of unrest on the horizon. That unrest 
is still there, but progress is being made.
  Today we have an elected government in Iraq. It is representing 
Iraq's ethnic and religious factions, and they have peacefully reached 
an agreement to name a Kurd to the Presidency. There are two Vice 
Presidents; one is a Shiite, the other a Sunni. They have also agreed 
that the Prime Minister is a Shiite.
  The naysayers said that successful elections would be all but 
impossible. They said that the people did not want democracy, that they 
did not understand democracy. But on election day, each and every one 
of us, everybody on the face of this Earth, saw the long lines, they 
saw people braving potential terrorist attacks, and in the words of one 
Iraqi, a Nation was born in front of a watching world. I think that is 
very true.
  They did that. They took those risks in order to vote. The result is 
a democratic government. And, yes, it is shaky, but it is free, and it 
is elected, and they are proving the naysayers wrong. They are taking 
those baby steps towards freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that many things have changed in Iraq since 
October of 2003, but, from my observation, one thing that has remained 
consistent and true through thick and thin is our military men and 
women, the Armed Forces. These folks in uniform have not faltered, not 
for an instant, in their dedication to this mission. They have 
demonstrated an unparalleled level of commitment toward reshaping the 
nation, the Middle East, and the terrorist network that runs through 
that region of the world.
  Over the last couple of days, I have spent some time on the telephone 
calling their families, letting them know how proud of them, how much I 
appreciate their sacrifice, how much I appreciate the families and the 
support that they are giving their loved ones in uniform. I am also 
letting them know how much our constituents in the Seventh 
Congressional District of Tennessee appreciate them. You know, and 
America needs to know, that the Iraqi people are appreciative as well.
  Following Iraq, I was able to speak with a small business owner, an 
Iraqi woman who had traveled to America about a year ago and shadowed 
me for a day. And she thanks the American military, and because of the 
freedom

[[Page H1756]]

that our men and women in uniform have helped to deliver there on the 
ground, her Iraqi sisters are now elected officials. Imagine that. A 
woman in Iraq, many women in Iraq who are holding elected office. It is 
change. It is a step forward.

                              {time}  2000

  While we were in Israel, we talked peace, not just a distant hope for 
peace generations from now, but of a long-term agreement and soon. This 
is because of our steady and dedicated commitment to involvement in the 
Middle East.
  In Iraq, we reviewed the Iraqi military training with General 
Petraeus, who had been the commanding general at Fort Campbell. This 
American-Iraqi military training is going to help give that nation the 
protection, the ability to protect from the insurgents who are there 
every day, growing weaker; but they are there. It will help the Iraqis 
take responsibility for their security. We have got about 150,000 
Iraqis that are trained; and some of our big Tennesseeans, the 278th 
regiment from east Tennessee, they are working hard, and they are 
helping train many of the Iraqis.
  In Jordan, we visited with the Iraqi police training facility. We 
have got about 50,000 Iraqis who are now trained, carrying on the work 
of the police force in Iraq.
  When you are there in Iraq on the ground, you cannot help but notice 
the green fields and the sense that order is taking place to their 
daily lives, not only in government but also in business.
  The progress made in Iraq is sending shockwaves throughout the Middle 
East. We have seen the Lebanese people resist the Syrian domination of 
their government. In Saudi Arabia and Egypt, there is movement. It is 
slow, but there is movement towards democracy.
  None of this would have been possible without our military men and 
women, and it is that change that is going to destroy terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, I just stand today to commend the men and women in 
uniform, to say a special thanks to our Tennesseeans who are serving, 
and I know that America joins me in thanking them and their families 
for their sacrifice, their bravery, and their dedication.

                          ____________________