[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22202]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               AMERICAN MILITARY PROVIDES HOPE TO IRAQIS

  (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, yesterday I returned from 
a delegation to Iraq organized by the Committee on Armed Services' 
ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
  We visited with troops from Baghdad to Al Hillah in the south to 
Mosoul in the north, hearing directly from the heroes who have won the 
war and are now winning the peace in the war on terror.
  These dedicated warriors have trained over 60,000 new Iraqi security 
forces and initiated over 6,000 community development programs for 
hospitals, schools, electrical transmission, business development and 
road improvements. Led by Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, they are 
allied with over 20,000 personnel in Iraq from nations all over the 
world.
  I was inspired by the development of democracy promoted by courageous 
mayors, governors, council members, and an Islamic religious university 
dean who is a descendent of Mohammed.
  We also met with Ambassador Paul Bremer, who clearly has recruited a 
competent team, including Colombians George Wolfe and Chris Harvin, to 
successfully promote democracy.
  A vital part of the war on terror is success in Iraq, and we have the 
right components of capable troops, local stalwarts for democracy, and 
a visionary Coalition Provisional Authority.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops.

                          ____________________