Federal News Service - Hearing of the House Armed Services Committee - Progress in the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Iraq

Federal News Service

HEADLINE: HEARING OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE SUBJECT: PROGRESS IN THE RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF IRAQ

CHAIRED BY: REPRESENTATIVE JOEL HEFLEY (R-CO)

WITNESSES:

COLONEL MICHAEL LINNINGTON, USA, FORMER BRIGADE COMMANDER, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION;

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JEFFREY SPRINGMAN, USA, FORMER COMMANDER, 3RD BATTALION IN SUPPORT OF THE 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION; CAPTAIN PATRICK COSTELLO, USA, FORMER ADA, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION;

LIEUTENANT COLONEL BRYAN P. MCCOY, USMC, FORMER COMMANDER, 3RD BATTALION, 4TH MARINE REGIMENT; CAPTAIN MORGAN SAVAGE, USMC, FORMER COMPANY COMMANDER, 3RD BATTALION, 4TH MARINE REGIMENT

LOCATION: 2118 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C.

BODY:

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REP. JOE WILSON (R-SC): Thank you, Dr. Gingrey. And indeed there is a last Mohican, and it's me. I'm very grateful. I'm Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina. And I just want to want to let you know how much I appreciate your service. I appreciate your service, and in lieu of a question, I just want to let you know I appreciate your service as a member of Congress, as a veteran of 31 years with the Army National Guard, and as the parent of three children who are serving in the military. And so what you've done is just so important for our country and I'm very, very grateful.

I'm particularly grateful because I think it's historic, the service in Afghanistan and Iraq, liberating two countries, over 50 million people. And all of it, from my perspective, really is to protect the American public. And you are protecting the American people. And as you well know, there are no longer any training camps in Afghanistan or Iraq where terrorists could be trained. And we had the chilling reminder of what terrorists can do with the action in Russia just this last week. Just how terrific and how barbarous these terrorists can be to target innocent children. And, of course, they would not hesitate, as they did on September the 11th, 2001, to target the civilian population of the United States who they have declared as their enemy.

Additionally, I have had the opportunity to visit Iraq three times. A year ago, I'm very grateful that the ranking member here, Ike Skelton, included me on his delegation. And we saw first hand the civil action projects and it was just so inspiring. And I know that there have been 27,600 civil action projects working with the people of Iraq to build a civil society, which again benefits the American public.

Another highlight I had that you all reiterated is that on our visits to Iraq, also to Afghanistan, we had the opportunity to meet with all ranks from our home state at breakfast, lunch and dinner. And they stated, just as you did, that they were patrolling by foot, not speeding through communities. They were talking with the people. They were finding support ranging from 70 to 90 percent. As an elected official, we are very happy with anything over 50 percent. So I can assure you, the number 70 to 90 had an impact on me.

Another point I want to make too, my oldest son is serving in Iraq. I'm very grateful of his service there. He's, in fact, joined the son of the chairman of our committee, Duncan Hunter. And so we are very grateful that our sons are there. And I receive daily e-mail photos from Iraq, I received satellite phone calls from him, e-mail every few minutes practically on the progress that's being made to build a civil society. And what you did today, I regret the media coverage, but being a former reporter, the statement is that good news has no feet and bad news has wings.

But putting it all in perspective, I grew up my whole life being told that we couldn't win the Cold War. That communism, in fact, was the wave of the future. But we persisted, we persevered. We won. The irony to me, I've had an opportunity to visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Karshi Khanabad, Uzbekistan, Bagram, Afghanistan, former Soviet airbases designed to destroy the United States, now American and coalition bases fighting terrorism. And then I've had the opportunity to travel to Bucharest, Romania and see people living in democracy who didn't have a chance 15 years ago. So I'm just really encouraged, and I want to thank you for your service.

At this time, I believe Congressman Taylor may have another question, and I would certainly want to consult further with Congressman Skelton.

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REP. WILSON: Thank you, Congressman Taylor.

Before we conclude with Congressman Skelton, at his approval I'd like to recognize a guest that we have with us in the audience. We're very pleased to have with us a person who has been a member of the Senate of the Republic of Romania. Indeed this was a country that was a dictatorship like Iraq, and just within the last 15 years has emerged obviously into a developing democracy, a member of NATO, an ally of the United States. And so with us today we have with us Mrs. Norika Nicholai. (ph) Please be recognized, thank you.

(Applause.)

And at this time, Congressman Skelton.

REP. SKELTON: Just a special thanks to each one of you, to those troops you have commanded, those with whom you work. You make us proud.

REP. WILSON: And at this time as we conclude, we've been joined by our chairman, Chairman Duncan Hunter from the State of California.

REP. DUNCAN HUNTER (R-CA): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You did a great job running this hearing.

Many thanks, gentlemen. We look forward to seeing you again, but it's been I think an excellent hearing for our members. Please excuse my absence here in the early part of this hearing.

REP. WILSON: And there being no further business, the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.