WASHINGTON - Congressman Adam H. Putnam (FL-12) announced that he will take part in an eight-member Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to Europe, which will take the Congressman to Warsaw, Poland, Lisbon, Portugal and London, England.

The trip, led by Congressman Jerry Lewis, Chairman of the Defense Subcommittee for the House Appropriations Committee, is designed to express our gratitude and strengthen ties with some of the members of the “Coalition of the Willing.”

“I am honored that Chairman Lewis has given me this opportunity and I look forward to discussing our common interests while meeting with the leaders of these nations,” said Putnam. “As members of the ‘Coalition of the Willing,’ we all share the same goal of security for our nations and our people. We also understand the imminent danger to global peace and security that terrorism poses. It is also, frankly, a good opportunity to work with Chairman Lewis on matters impacting Florida’s servicemen and women.” 

“We must be united as Americans and members of the free world in our common quest for liberty,” said Putnam. “This trip will give me an important added perspective as I work as a conferee on the Department of Defense Authorization bill to ensure our nation is secure from the threat of terrorism and our military personnel is equipped with the necessary tools to keep our nation free. Our military forces have undergone transformation to work jointly and multinationally. Our governments should follow the example when possible.”

“Representing hundreds of my constituents that work at MacDill Air Force Base with CENTCOM and SOCOM, I have seen the practical benefits of international cooperation in action at Coalition Village,” said Putnam.

Some of the scheduled meetings include senior government and military officials, including Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller, President of the Portuguese Parliament Joao Bosco Mota Amaral, Portuguese Defense Minister Paulo Portas Iho, and Commander, U.S. EUCOM General James L. Jones, U.S. Marine Corps and members of the British Parliament.

House lawmakers joining Congressman Putnam include:

Congressman Jerry Lewis (CA-41), Chairman, House Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee
Congressman Joe Barton (TX-6), House Energy & Commerce and Science Committees
Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-44), House Armed Services, Resources and Science Committees
Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), House Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee
Congressman John McHugh (NY-23), House Armed Services, Government Reform and International Relations Committees
Congressman Alan Mollohan (WV-1), House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member on Standards of Government Reform Committee
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34), House Appropriations and Standards of Official Conduct Committees