Pryce Congratulates Afghanis on First 
Free Election in Decades

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today applauded the hard work of the United States armed forces and the government of Afghanistan to provide the Afghan people with the opportunity to make history by voting in their nation's first direct presidential election on Saturday, October 9^th, 2004.   

“We are witnessing history in the making as the Afghan people head to the polls in a free and open election,” Pryce said.  “It is truly a testament to the power and promise of democracy that over 10 million Afghanis have registered to vote.  I am also thrilled to learn that 41 percent of those registering to vote are women.  Casting a vote is an empowering act, and the fact that Afghani women are embracing their new opportunities with courage is incredibly moving.”