May 5, 2005

Congressman Akin Returns to Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Within the next several days, Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, will participate in a Congressional Delegation trip to Iraq that will be led by Congressman Robin Hayes (R-NC). Congressman Akin, who led a similar trip to Iraq in October 2003, was asked by Hayes to participate in the upcoming trip along with Congressmen Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and John Salazar (D-CO).

“Since I last visited there has been real progress including a national election and the swearing in of a new government,” said Congressman Akin, whose son Perry currently is serving as a U.S. Marine officer in Iraq. “You always learn the most about challenges and progress by talking with those doing the real heavy lifting, which is why Congress needs to continue visiting our service men and women deployed during this historic effort to bring democracy to Iraq.”

According to a press release by Congressman Hayes’ office, “Trip participants will visit troops stationed in various cities in Iraq to ascertain both the progress the U.S. has made in fighting insurgents as well as what is needed to bring our troops home as the security situation improves and the new government remains solvent.”

The trip is the first visit by a Congressional Delegation since the new government and cabinet were sworn in earlier this week.

For security purposes, the exact departure times and itineraries must be kept confidential.

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