[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2300-E2301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE TRUTH ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2005

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, our men and women in the military continue 
to make our nation very proud. We are forever grateful for their 
sacrifice as they protect our precious freedoms and encourage the rise 
of democracy in the heart of the Middle East. We honor their dedication 
and admire their resolve under such difficult circumstances.
  Because of the valor of our troops, there is cause for great optimism 
in Iraq. On October 15th, nearly 10 million Iraqis traded bullets for 
ballots and voted on their draft constitution. The constitution was 
approved by an overwhelming 79 percent. This is a remarkable feat and 
an important milestone on Iraq's path toward democracy. The next step 
is a December 15th vote for the first government under the new 
constitution.
  After the constitutional vote, the Washington Post quoted a 53-year-
old Iraqi shoe salesman who said: ``[Before], no one showed us the 
draft of a constitution. None of them. This is the first time. Since 
the days of the monarchy until now, this is the first government 
willing to put the constitution before its people.''
  Another Iraqi, who planned to mark his ballot with his own blood, 
said this about voting for the constitution: ``It will bring all that 
is good for the people, such as stability, democracy and peace. With 
such a charter, we will show the world that we are a civilized nation, 
not a bunch of . . . bloodthirsty extremists.''
  The election day itself was a resounding success. Violence was 
minimal and did not affect voting at the more than 6,000 polling 
places. Nearly 200,000 Iraqi security forces

[[Page E2301]]

took an active and lead role in ensuring the safety of their fellow 
citizens on the day of the vote. For Iraqis, this was truly a national 
effort to determine the future of their nation.
  The increasingly Iraqi-dominated security operations are a huge boost 
in our efforts to defeat the terrorists. After a recent trip to Iraq, 
Retired Army Major General Robert Scales commented: ``[The Iraqi 
forces] are better able to gather intelligence. They can spot 
insurgents by their body language and by how they act and the language 
they use.''
  The Iraqi security forces are gaining the trust and respect of the 
Iraqi people. In fact, the number of tips to security forces rose from 
442 in February to over 3,000 in August. The increasing capability of 
the Iraqi security forces is essential to our strategy for victory.
  Mr. Speaker, the trial of Saddam Hussein is yet another very positive 
development. This is a trial by Iraqis, for Iraqis--and for justice 
long denied to the victims who suffered under his murderous rule. The 
Iraqi Special Tribunal operates under Iraqi law and shows the solid 
foundation being built for law and order in Iraq.
  There has also been significant progress resulting from U.S. and 
Iraqi reconstruction efforts. Unfortunately, these signs that point to 
a revived society, economy and culture have not received much 
attention. Consider this:
  There were no independent newspapers or magazines in Saddam Hussein's 
Iraq--today there are more than 100; before the war, there were no cell 
phone subscribers--today there are over 3.5 million; over 3,400 schools 
have been renovated; local governments are conducting town hall 
meetings; the Baghdad real estate market is booming; and, the court 
system is coming to life--Iraqi judges have conducted 387 trials since 
2003.
  There remain terrorists committed to derailing democracy in Iraq. But 
Iraqis have already experienced the conditions that terrorists seek. 
They are conditions of hopelessness, violence, intolerance and 
repression. As we saw by the constitutional vote, nearly all Iraqis 
reject this dark existence.
  Mr. Speaker, we know that more tough days lie ahead for the American 
military. Their mission is dangerous, but their cause is just. And 
because of their courage and sacrifice, they are making significant 
progress toward supporting a free and democratic Iraq. This is great 
news for the people of Iraq--and great news for our own national 
security.

                          ____________________