[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 1362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      PRAISING THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, having served as poll 
manager, poll watcher, county election commissioner, State ballot 
security coordinator, campaign manager, and candidate, I know firsthand 
the challenges of free elections.
  In our developed democracy, we are confronted with serious problems 
of securing polling locations, recruiting poll workers, printing 
intelligible ballots, finding dedicated managers, providing current 
poll lists. The challenges are endless, but unlike Iraqi voters, we 
have rarely been asked to brave bullets, bombs, and terrorist thugs on 
our way to the polls.
  The millions of Iraqi voters are to be commended for their bravery. I 
also credit the Iraqi security forces, American servicemembers, and 
coalition troops for securing the over-5,000 polling sites across the 
nation.
  The success of Sunday's election is a tangible fulfillment of the 
vision of President George W. Bush and proves that democracy abroad is 
the best way to protect American families at home. Terrorist extremists 
cannot and will not survive in free nations.
  In conclusion, may God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

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