Boozman in Kuwait, Visits with Arkansans

Press Release

Prepares for Wednesday visit to Baghdad

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today visited with Arkansas troops in Kuwait as part of a week-long congressional delegation to the region.

Boozman is part of a delegation from the House Veterans Affairs Committee headed by Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), the committee's chairman. The goal of the trip is to learn more of the situations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Additionally, the delegation will observe the medical treatment given to injured service-members on the field, in Iraq, and onto Germany.

Boozman arrived in Kuwait early Tuesday morning, local time, where he began by visiting with Major General Dennis E. Hardy, Deputy Commanding General of the Third Army, followed by an inspection of transportation facilities in Kuwait.

"The troops in Kuwait have the important job of transporting materials," Boozman said. "Almost everything going in or out of Iraq goes through Kuwait."

Every day, 3300 vehicles are driven into Iraq and surrounding areas in convoys from Kuwait. Included in the daily supplies are over 2.3 million gallons of fuel and over 3000 personnel. Boozman got to meet with several Arkansans involved in the operations in Kuwait, including: Kathryn Vanhooser of Wesley; Cody Yancy and Jonathan Smith of Rogers; Michael Pruitt of Jacksonville; Ryan Millican and Micah Harford of Van Buren; Kevin Mendoza of Barling; Jarrett Shepherd of Mountainburg; Eric Drost, Anthony Freed, and Greg White of Fayetteville; Bobby Martin of Lowell; and Brian Lawrence of Ozark.

"I got to visit with a number of men and women from Arkansas at lunch," Boozman said. "They were all in very good spirits, proud of the job they were doing and assured me they were getting all that they need to do their mission."

"They did mention that they wish it were easier to get the Razorback games and I told them I would mention it to Coach Broyles," Boozman, a former Razorback football player, said.

"It was an honor to get to visit with these soldiers. I told them the people of Arkansas were very proud of them. I thanked them and asked them to convey our thanks to their families for their sacrifice for our country."

Boozman, who has visited Iraq on five previous occasions, is scheduled to travel to Baghdad Wednesday, where he is to meet with General David Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq, as well as Ambassador Ryan Croker. The delegation will tour two Combat Support Hospitals, including one in Balad. Additionally, Boozman is to meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Wednesday.

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