[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 50 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF LOUISIANA'S 256TH ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND SUPPORT FOR 
                    EFFORTS TO ASSIST IRAQI CITIZENS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work that 
members of our armed forces are doing in Iraq. Too often, the news from 
Iraq is of attacks from insurgents, the political difficulties of 
forming a new democracy and international political gamesmanship. I 
want to highlight one effort by our troops to befriend the Iraqi 
citizens and demonstrate our commitment to democracy and freedom.
  Sgt. Martin Schulthess is a member of the 256th Battalion of the Army 
National Guard and he is a paramedic with Acadian Ambulance Service. In 
patrols through Iraq, he and his troops have been able to earn the 
trust and friendship of the Iraqi citizens. After suffering under 
Saddam Hussein, they are struggling to create a civil society without 
fear of torture, imprisonment or death. These Iraqis know American and 
coalition forces support their efforts to govern themselves. They 
support the elimination of terrorist insurgents and former Baath Party 
members who do not want to establish a new government.
  Sgt. Schulthess attributes a measure of his success to the small 
gifts he distributes to Iraqi children. These small hand-outs help to 
build the trust of the Iraqi people and gain their assistance. The 
ability of Sgt. Schulthess and the 256th Battalion to build and 
maintain these relationships has provided valuable intelligence to 
enhance the safety of our troops from Southwest Louisiana.
  I am proud to represent Southwest Louisiana and the home of the 
256th. I know the families and friends of these soldiers are ready for 
them to return home. Soldiers like Sgt. Schulthess set an example that 
all of Acadiana and Louisiana can be proud of. The kind of ingenuity, 
creativity, and initiative demonstrated by our troops will help to 
bring them home safely after planting the seeds of democracy in Iraq.

                          ____________________