Joint Congressional Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2003
Contact: Diane Pratt-Heavner
(202) 226-7797

 

Upton-Davis bipartisan delegation returns from Iraq:

Unified on need to get military resources to get the job done.

Click here to see photos from Rep. Davis' trip to Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and Jim Davis (D-FL) returned from their bipartisan CODEL to Iraq last Friday and subsequently issued the following statement. Congressman Upton (R-MI), co-chairs the Tuesday group of 50 House Centrist Republicans who meet weekly. Congressman Davis (D-FLA) co-chairs the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), a group of 75 House Moderate Democrats who meet weekly.

"We embarked on this trip as congressmen with diverse backgrounds, from different states and from opposite parties. Despite this, we returned to America united and strongly supporting our troops and the effort to complete the on-going reconstruction effort in Iraq. We firmly believe this will ultimately 'win the peace.'"

"As we pledge our support for the reconstruction effort, we strongly urge the Administration to intensify efforts to include the international community. The U.S. should not shoulder the massive burden alone. Rebuilding Iraq should include all of our friends and allies, not just those who are part of the coalition. The stakes are too high and the challenges too immense for the U.S. to try to rebuild alone.

"Our allied forces are working side by side with the people of Iraq on this massive reconstruction effort for a country ravaged by the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. Economic and political progress is being made, and we must ensure this continues while applying unrelenting pressure on remaining regime forces and those who seek to spread the ugly seeds of terror.

"To be sure there are pockets of violence, but we also saw so many pockets of hope and joy that all too often don’t make the evening news. Universities and hospitals have been reopened, newspapers published and police training begun. The Iraqi school that we visited was filled with eager young children thirsting for knowledge. As classes let out and we waded past Iraqi parents waiting to pick up their children, the handshakes, hugs and cheers were incredible. While these are signs of success, there is much work to be done.

"We are very proud of our brave men and women in the military, many of whom we have had the honor of meeting over the last week. They have given us their best. Congress must now do the same."

Upton and Davis lead a bi-partisan delegation to Iraq from October 6-10, which included Reps. Mike Castle (R-DE), Greg Walden (R-OR), Amo Houghton (R-NY), Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Ron Kind (D-WI), and Gregory Meeks (D-NY). The delegation visited several areas of Iraq, including Baghdad and Tacit. They met with Ambassador Paul Bremer, Presidential Envoy to Iraq, to get an update of the reconstruction efforts and were briefed by several military and government officials responsible for the work. Members also spent time talking with American troops, including some from their own districts.

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