A bipartisan delegation from the House of Representatives visited here, Jan. 21-22 to get a firsthand view on the progress made in Iraq and to give Marines and Sailors a chance to voice their concerns.
Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 18th Congressional District of Florida, led a four-person delegation which met with ground troops and foreign ministers in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
“Most of the Iraqis I have come into contact with are grateful for the U.S. forces being here in Iraq,” said Mayo. “They have told me on numerous occasions how they have never known freedom the way they do now. One in specific was the local named Yass. He told me that this is the first time he can speak his mind without fearing death.”
“Sometimes when you read the paper or hear news accounts the public doesn’t understand or fully appreciate the support for your work and for your mission,”. “I think I can speak for the other members as well, we see it every day in our district in terms of support the troops rallies or bumper stickers on every car. Sometimes it’s hard to read that message because you’re over here but we just want you to know the message, love, respect and the appreciation for the sacrifices that you have made and the sacrifices that your families have made. It’s so deeply appreciated in the United States Congress.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/1F5F6D2BEC2CE90E852571010038808B?opendocument------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is going to Iraq just an easy PR ploy for the Congresscritters?