Durbin's Statement on the Death of 2500 American Service Men and Women in Iraq

DURBIN'S STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF 2500 AMERICAN SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN IN IRAQ

Thursday, June 15, 2006

[Washington, D.C.] - Assistant Democratic Leader Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement on the death of 2500 American soldiers in Iraq:

"America has reached another sad milestone: 2,500 of America's best and bravest soldiers have been killed in Iraq. On this sad day, we observed a moment of silence in the U.S. Senate to honor their sacrifice and devotion to our nation."

"As we honor our war dead, and those men and women who remain in harm's way, we must ask: what can we do now to bring our troops home with their mission truly accomplished?"

"The President has told the American people that as Iraqi soldiers stand up, our troops will stand down. Now he says that we must not leave too soon. That is not a plan for success nor is it a clear message to the Iraqi people."

"Ultimately, it is the Iraqi people, the Iraqi leaders, and the Iraqi armed forces and police who will deliver peace, security and prosperity to their nation. We must let the Iraqis know that we will not give up American lives indefinitely. The Iraqis have to show us that they will stand and defend their own soil."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=257150&&