[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13518-S13519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SECOND BRIGADE COMBAT TEAMS

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, last week I had the privilege of meeting 
privately with numerous soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of 
the 2nd Infantry Division, which is stationed at Fort Carson, CO. These 
soldiers had just returned from their first tour in Iraq where they 
helped maintain the peace near the former terrorist hot-bed of 
Fallujah. I spent over an hour talking with them about their 
experiences, asking them about their challenges, and hearing their 
thoughts about whether we should stay the course in Iraq.
  These soldiers spent the last year fighting the Iraqi terrorists, in 
some cases house-to-house. They helped train several Iraqi security 
units and participated in numerous reconstruction projects throughout 
central Iraq. Sadly, they lost 68 of their own while in Iraq. Yet, 
while they deeply mourn the loss of their comrades, they have no 
regrets about their time in Iraq.
  Indeed, if there was one thing I took away from my meeting with the 
soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, it was that each and every one 
of these soldiers was proud of their accomplishments in Iraq. They 
completed their mission well and helped thousands of Iraqis better 
understand the value of freedom and prosperity.
  And why shouldn't these soldiers be proud of what they achieved? The 
progress we have made in Iraq is breath-taking, and these soldiers have 
been a part of it.
  Those who believe that the war in Iraq has become a quagmire 
certainly haven't been paying attention. The President's strategy is 
working and we are making progress.
  The reconstruction accomplishments in Iraq are staggering:
  Over 3,000 schools have been renovated and refurbished; 133,000 
primary school teachers--a third of Iraq's educators--have received 
additional training and technical assistance; primary school enrollment 
is up 19 percent from prewar levels; nearly 250 health care centers 
have been renovated and another 563 have received new equipment; over 
2,500 primary health care workers have received training to better meet 
the Iraq's health care needs; in 2005 alone, 98 percent of Iraqi 
children between 1 and 5 years old have been immunized against measles, 
mumps, and rubella; more than 3 million Iraqis now have clean water, 
which was not adequately supplied before the war; more than 4.5 million 
Iraqis benefit from sewage disposal projects the United States has 
funded; sewage in many areas of Iraq used to literally run down the 
streets; 30,000 new businesses have registered with the Iraqi 
government in the past year alone; Iraqis are buying televisions, air 
conditioners, microwave ovens, and cell phones--all goods that were 
nearly impossible to buy unless you were one of Saddam's cronies; the 
generation of electricity is significantly higher than prewar level, 
though this area remains a challenge because of the power-consuming 
goods the Iraqis are buying.

[[Page S13519]]

  The training of Iraqi security forces is continuing at a brisk pace. 
Over 200,000 soldiers and policemen have been trained so far. As the 
soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson will tell you, 
some Iraqi units are highly competent and very capable. Other Iraqi 
units have a long way to go. Yet progress is being made.
  Just in the last 2 weeks, Iraqi security forces conducted nearly 100 
company-level combat operations on their own without U.S. assistance.
  On the political front, the progress in Iraq has been nothing short 
of amazing.
  As President Bush pointed out in his speech 2 days ago, Iraq was in 
the iron grip of a cruel dictator who murdered his own people, attacked 
his neighbors, and continued his decade-long defiance of the United 
Nations just 2\1/2\ years ago.
  Since then, the Iraqi people have assumed sovereignty of their own 
country, held free elections, put together a new constitution, and 
approved that constitution in a nation-wide referendum.
  Tomorrow, Iraqis will again return to the voters booth for the third 
time in the last year. They will be choosing a new government under a 
new constitution, and they will be choosing democracy over tyranny.
  Hundreds of political parties representing every element of Iraqi 
society, including Sunni, Shittes, and Kurds, are participating in this 
highly competitive, completely unprecedented electoral race.
  Despite the constant danger of terror attacks, Iraq is buzzing in a 
campaign-like atmosphere. Baghdad, Najaf, and Mosul are full of signs 
and posters. Television and radio are filled with political ads and 
commentary.
  Political rallies for candidates are being held around the country. 
Nothing the terrorists can do or say has stopped this march toward 
freedom and democracy.
  Like Shittes and Kurds, Sunni politicians are now coming under attack 
by the Iraqi terrorists. But the Sunnis now know that terror will never 
overcome the political momentum that has been gaining speed in Iraq. 
They know that an agenda of fear and tyranny will only lead to more 
death and destruction.
  They see that the future of Iraq lies not in the hateful ideology of 
extremism but in freedom, prosperity, and hope.
  As the Denver Post in their editiorial today, tomorrow marks an 
important milestone towards self-government for the Iraqi people.
  The elections in Iraq are a sign of tremendous political progress, 
but they are not the only sign. The development of the rule of law and 
building of new political institutions is just as important--if not 
more so.
  The United States is helping build an independent, impartial 
judiciary system capable of protecting all Iraqis and is helping Iraqi 
lawmakers develop a body of law that will sustain Iraq through the 
challenges of the future.
  In particular, the trial of Saddam Hussein has shown all Iraqis that 
even the most despicable criminals deserve due process and an 
opportunity to prove their innocence under the law.
  Some have questioned whether the war in Iraq is really a part of the 
war against terror. The terrorists have made it abundantly clear that 
Iraq is central in their war against the civilized world.
  They have also made it clear that they will not stop with Iraq; they 
will strike Iraq's neighbors as they did last month in Jordan; they 
will strike Europe as they did in the Madrid bombings; and they will 
not hesitate to strike America again as they did on September 11.
  The soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry at 
Fort Carson understand the stakes of the war in Iraq. They know that if 
we run away, all of their work will go for naught. They know that if we 
give up, the lives of millions of Iraqis will be put at risk. And they 
know that if we surrender, the fight the terrorists will be emboldened 
to hit us where it hurts the most--here in the United States.
  I applaud the soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team for their 
service to our Nation and to the people of Iraq. They have every right 
to be proud of their achievements, as does every U.S. soldier, sailor, 
airman, and marine who has helped bring freedom to Iraq. We owe the men 
and women in our Armed Forces a debt of gratitude--their courage and 
bravery has inspired me and should inspire every American.
  Mr. President, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important 
issue.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Vitter). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized 
to speak in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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