[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H10340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE WALLS IN BAGHDAD HAVE COME DOWN

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, The Wall Street Journal 
last week reported that the ``Baghdad Blast Walls Come Down.'' It 
explained that ``the Iraqi Government marked the first anniversary of 
the Islamic State's defeat Monday by reopening parts of Baghdad's Green 
Zone.'' Iraqi forces, along with support from the U.S.-led alliance, 
reclaimed the last of Islamic State territory last December.
  The article notes that ``the changes at the Green Zone reflect 
declining violence across Iraq that is particularly tangible in 
Baghdad, and further states that: ``Over 1,000 streets in Baghdad have 
been reopened during the past 2 years, with 70,000 segments of concrete 
blast wall removed. The number of civilians killed across Iraq by 
terrorism, violence, and armed conflict in November fell to its lowest 
level in 6 years, according to the United Nations.''
  As a grateful dad who has had two of my four military sons serve in 
Iraq, I am particularly happy for the Iraqi people.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may we never forget 
September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

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