[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9197]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT: SUCCESS

  (Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and 
applaud the inauguration this past weekend of Iraq's new permanent 
unity government. For 3 years, democracy has been coming to Iraq, and 
now it is officially here.
  Millions have participated in the process, voting and debating, and 
now the people of Iraq finally have their own sovereign, democratically 
elected government. The Iraqis have overcome huge obstacles, 
uncertainty, threats, violence and fear, but have continued to stand 
firm for the most noble of ideals, freedom and democracy.
  In just 3 years, we have seen a tyrannical oppressive dictatorship 
removed and a fully sovereign democracy born. Their new government is 
one of unity with Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis all serving in prominent 
leadership roles. All the people of Iraq may proudly stand up and say, 
this is their government, their country, and they will honor and 
protect it.
  Mr. Speaker, the historic significance of this event cannot be 
overestimated. From this day forward, we must always look at Iraq as a 
nation of independence, a nation of freedom and a nation of democracy. 
May it always be.

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