[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 21440]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1630
                OUR BRAVE TROOPS, HOME ON AMERICAN SOIL

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, last week, Secretary of Defense Leon 
Panetta declared an end to the war in Iraq, fulfilling President 
Obama's pledge to bring the war to a responsible close. This marks an 
important milestone for the U.S., and it symbolizes our redefined 
relationship with a sovereign Iraq.
  Thanks to the resilience and bravery of our soldiers and civilian 
personnel, all U.S. combat troops in Iraq will be home by the end of 
the year. I want to congratulate them on being able to share their 
holiday seasons together again.
  We also honor the memory of lost heroes, and we renew our commitment 
to ensure that our new generation of veterans receives the services and 
care we promised and the veterans earned.
  At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, our 
commitments to help veterans is more important than ever to ensure they 
successfully transition their talents here at home for the good of our 
economy and our country.
  On behalf of the Missouri citizens I represent, I wish our brave 
troops and all their loved ones a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and 
a Happy New Year home on American soil.

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