[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 71 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H3431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING OUR MILITARY MEMBERS

  (Mr. KELLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have just returned from Iraq where I had 
the privilege of spending Memorial Day with our troops from Florida. I 
went to Iraq for two reasons: First, to say thank you to our troops for 
their service; and, second, to see for myself how things were going in 
Iraq by meeting with our generals, our soldiers, and the Iraqi leaders.
  The day I was there was quite hot, 115 degrees, and it was violent. 
Forty people were killed while I was there, including one U.S. soldier 
and two CBS news employees. I was so impressed with the bravery of our 
soldiers. For example, one soldier had his helicopter shot out of the 
sky. Upon landing, he replaced the blades in the helicopter with brand-
new blades and went right back into battle.
  Regardless of how you feel about the war in Iraq, realize that our 
troops are in harm's way, they are performing very bravely, and they 
deserve our support 100 percent in the U.S. Congress.

                          ____________________