War in Iraq

WAR IN IRAQ -- (Senate - December 15, 2005)

Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I rise today to speak briefly about the progress on the war in Iraq and, importantly, the well-being and morale of our troops in the field.

Last week, the State of South Dakota lost two of its sons in Iraq, SSG Daniel Cuka, 27, from Yankton, SD, and SFC Richard Shield, 40, from Tabor, SD. Both served in the 147th Field Artillery of the South Dakota National Guard and were killed by improvised explosive devices while riding in their humvees.

They were assigned the mission of assisting in the training of Iraqi police. Three other members of their battery were also wounded. South Dakota is now in the process of grieving for and honoring these two brave men who answered the call of duty.

One week after this tragic loss, an historic event occurred today in Iraq that gives particular meaning and value to the lives and sacrifice of these two men. Today Iraq held a national election to fill parliamentary seats and it appears that there was a massive turnout of voters from each of the major ethnic and religious groups, including from the Sunni population that only a few months ago rejected any participation in the political process.

This election is only the latest in a series of milestones giving testimony to the great progress that has already been made in our effort to transform this country into a true democracy. Granted, it will be a long road to the kind of democracy we have in this country. But it was a long and bumpy road in our own journey. The fact that this Iraqi election occurred at all, is amazing considering where the people of Iraq were 5 years ago, without freedom to determine their future and under the heel of Saddam Hussein's tyranny.

Despite the naysayers in this country, optimism among Iraqis is becoming infectious. Of course, optimism and support for what we are doing has always been prevalent among our troops. Thanks to them and the sacrifices they are making, we are on the cusp of delivering something very special into the hands of the Iraqi people--the ability to shape and control their own lives, lives free from the tyranny of dictators, free from radical Islamic intimidation, and free from hopelessness.

Let us dispell the fiction that America is not making progress in Iraq, right here and right now. Under United States training and guidance, 97 Iraqi battalions are now conducting security operations throughout Iraq. In July of last year, there were only 5 Iraqi battalions equipped and trained to fight.

Currently, 33 battalions have assumed their own areas of operation. Last year at this time, the Iraqi security forces did not have control over any areas of operation. Iraqi border police are now manning 170 border compounds and 22 ports of entry. Over 75,000 Iraqi policemen are patrolling Iraqi cities. In the last election in January, 130,000 Iraqi security forces successfully protected polling sites all over the country and inspired a wave of pride throughout the country and a sharp increase in recruitment. We anticipate that in the election that occurred today, over 225,000 Iraqi security forces provided security to the polling places.

In the January election almost a year ago, 8.5 million Iraqis turned out to vote, defying terrorists threats. In the October referendum, 10 million voters turned out. We expect significantly greater numbers in this election, including from the Sunni population whose Mullahs are now encouraging their people to get out and vote after opposing their participation in previous elections. Progress is clearly being made. To say otherwise is simply inaccurate and demoralizing to our troops in Iraq who are risking their lives to achieve these great milestones.

I would like to read a portion of an email sent to me by the mother of a South Dakota soldier stationed in Iraq.

Dear John, I am a commissioner in Corson County, McIntosh, SD. I also, happen to be a mother of 2 children in the Army. My son is now in Iraq, stationed at Ar Ramadi--not a very nice place right now! The purpose of this email is to ask you to pass on to Congress the fact that all their back stabbing and finger pointing is very devastating to the families of the sons and daughters now in Iraq. If they think they are representing the families by doing what they are doing on the Hill and in the press they are sadly mistaken. I don't want my son to be where he is, but anyone with any kind of sense knows that we cannot just pick up and desert the Iraqi's at this point. ...... Please, Please get this message out that this is not what the parents, husbands, wives, and families need to hear from our leaders. We have enough worry every waking moment knowing our kids are in harms way. We don't need the politicians using our loved ones in order for them to further their political future.

The two fallen soldiers who are being honored today at a memorial service in South Dakota gave their lives for a cause greater than themselves. Those family members they left behind deserve to know their sacrifices were not in vain.

We will win this war and Iraq will be a free independent democracy. When our work is finished, Iraq will provide a vision and a clear path for other countries in the Middle East to follow toward freedom and democracy. As Americans, we cannot leave the Iraqi people with anything less.

I ask unamious consent that a written statement honoring and paying tribute to Sergeants Cuka and Schild, two American heroes, be printed in the RECORD.

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