[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H11870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A REMARKABLE DAY IN IRAQ

  Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take the time of 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, this has been a remarkable day in Iraq, and 
I would like to redirect our attention for a moment to the things that 
Mr. Osborne outlined. Remarkable, the accomplishments of Iraqi people 
today. More than 70 percent of their population went to the polls and 
exercised the right that they have never had before, the right to vote 
for a democratic government. That vote was courageous. It showed 
commitment. It showed the resolve of the Iraqi people to take control 
of their destiny and their future. It was a tremendous step forward for 
peace, stability in the future of freedom in the Middle East. So I 
would like to take a part of my time to salute and to call attention to 
the incredible things that the Iraqis have done today and have 
committed themselves to do in the future by voting for a free Iraq.
  But more especially, Madam Speaker, I would like to call attention to 
the men and women in uniform from America and around the globe in the 
coalition forces, but especially tonight the American men and women who 
have made this election possible, who have spoken out, who have given, 
in many cases, their lives so that Iraqi men and women could vote today 
and determine their own future.
  My most sincere thanks and the thanks of a grateful Nation is 
extended from every quarter today to these men and women who have 
performed so courageously and so remarkably and have made this day and 
this election possible. I do not know how we can thank them enough, but 
it is a privilege for me to stand before the people's House and call 
attention to these wonderful men and women who represent America and 
all we stand for: freedom, democracy, equal opportunity.
  They did it today. What a tribute to them, but especially a tribute 
to their families, the moms and dads, wives and husbands of those 
soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines whose lives have been lost in the 
quest for freedom for people around the world.
  So as I close, Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to speak 
tonight on behalf of myself, the Eighth Congressional District of North 
Carolina, the home of Fort Bragg, the 18th Airborne Corps, the 82nd 
Airborne Division, and all the men and women in uniform. God has 
blessed America so richly by giving us these men and women who have 
stood and fought and won for democracy.
  God bless them all.

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