[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[House]
[Page 28543]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           SALUTING PROGRESS AND MILESTONE ELECTIONS IN IRAQ

  (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. Madam Speaker, in October 2002, Saddam 
Hussein ridiculously reported he received 100 percent support during a 
sham election in which he was the only candidate in the race. Three 
years later due the bravery of American troops and Iraqi security 
forces, the people of Iraq now have an historic opportunity to select 
275 individuals from over 6,655 candidates to serve in their national 
Council of Representatives.
  National elections in Iraq are another symbol of progress and another 
demonstration of our coalition troops' efforts, including my son who 
served a year in Iraq, to spread freedom throughout the world. Our 
brave soldiers recognize that they are fighting in a war that will 
secure democracy in Iraq which ultimately protects American families 
from terrorists who would rather attack our citizens.
  As the Iraqi people continue down the path of democracy, they should 
know the American people are proud of their continued successes and 
believe in the future of Iraq.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

                          ____________________