American Soldiers Remain Committed to Success in Iraq

AMERICAN SOLDIERS REMAIN COMMITTED TO SUCCESS IN IRAQ -- (House of Representatives - March 29, 2006)

(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. Mr. Speaker, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that an ounce of action is worth a pound of theory. As I listen to theories of doom and gloom about our military operations in Iraq, I am proud that American soldiers remain focused to successfully accomplish their mission to protect American families. Last week, the U.S. director of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office reminded us of the tremendous progress that has been made in Iraq over the last 3 years.

Ambassador Daniel Speckhard reported that Iraq's per capita annual income increased from $500 per person in March 2003 to $1,200 today. More than 30,000 Iraqi businesses have been registered in the past year. Iraq now has a free press, more than 2,000 Internet cafes, and more than 5 million cell phone users. While naysayers focus on a civil war in Iraq, our troops are committed to creating a civil society in Iraq which protects American families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

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