[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    GOING FORWARD TO VICTORY IN IRAQ

  Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, we have been talking a 
lot about Iraq, and a lot of people have different ideas and different 
thoughts about what we are doing over there. In recent days and weeks, 
some have suggested we need a specific timeline or date that indicates 
when our troops will begin to withdraw from Iraq.
  I would like to read an e-mail that one of my staffers received at 
the end of last week from a friend of hers currently serving in Iraq. 
The soldier says: ``I know there are growing doubts, questions and 
concerns by many regarding our presence here and how long we should 
stay. For what it is worth, the attachment hopefully tells you why we 
are trying to make a positive difference in this country's future.''
  This is the attachment, Madam Speaker, and a picture truly is worth 
1,000 words.
  The soldier went on to say in ending his e-mail: ``I hope to head 
home in 80 days with a feeling that I contributed something and made 
this world a better place for these guys.''
  Madam Speaker, any date for withdrawal would be arbitrary. We must 
allow our plan to go forward and not abandon it halfway through. This 
is not just about their future, it is about the future of all of us. 
Let us not talk about an exit strategy; let us talk about victory.

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