[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE 432ND CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK GREEN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
recognize before this House the brave members of the 432nd Civil 
Affairs Battalion, who today return home from a 14-month deployment 
overseas.
  Northeastern Wisconsin is often called ``the land of legends'' for 
our fabled football team--the Green Bay Packers. The gridiron 
leadership of men like Vince Lombardi, Curly Lambeau and Ray Nitschke 
helped make Green Bay synonymous with strength, courage and triumph. 
But, it's not our heroes of the playing field that make our area truly 
legendary--it's the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the 
line to defend freedom.
  Under the most dangerous conditions, the brave troops of the 432nd 
served 14 intense months overseas, striving to rebuild an Iraq ravaged 
by tyranny, war and strife. They fought to rebuild schools, reactivate 
power grids, train police, and so much more. They knew well that all 
their hard work and they themselves were under constant threat of 
attack. But, because of their commitment and unwavering devotion to the 
cause of freedom, this nation reborn can continue to move toward a 
brighter, more peaceful future.
  Our war in Iraq is obviously not finished. But, even with the ongoing 
challenges, Americans can take comfort in the fact that some of our 
finest countrymen carry the torch of liberty in Iraq. The proud men and 
women of the 432nd carried this torch for 14 months, traveling far from 
here and from their loved ones, putting their lives on hold to fight 
for democracy and freedom. Today, they are home with us again, and my 
constituents and I couldn't be happier.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be able to thank the soldiers of the 
432nd Civil Affairs Battalion on behalf of myself, my family, the state 
of Wisconsin and the people of a grateful nation. It is my distinct 
pleasure and privilege to serve them and their families in Congress. 
They, along with all our servicemen and women, deserve our continued 
praise, support and gratitude. They are our genuine heroes.

                          ____________________