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CAMP VICTORY, IRAQ - Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ-3rd) led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Iraq to mark the 229th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States with American forces deployed overseas.
"As members of Congress, we have an obligation to let our troops in harm's way know they are not forgotten," Saxton said. "This is a trip I will never forget. I was honored to spend the Fourth of July with them."
Saxton and Congressman Jim Marshall (D-Ga.), both of the House Armed Services Committee, met and ate with troops from the 111th Engineer Battalion of the Texas Army National Guard for a meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and other holiday fare.
"They have mission to do and they want to do it," Saxton said. "These are America's finest. I got the distinct impression they feel they're doing their best to support a growing democracy that is being challenged by forces of oppression and terrorism. They are rising up to build a better world at great personal risk. In many cases, we've seen them lay down their lives for freedom.
Saxton represents Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base, both of which have deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As Chairman of the House Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, he has traveled to Iraq to meet with U.S. and Iraqi military and civilian authorities in October 2003, February 2004 and January 2005. Background information on those trips is available at http://www.house.gov/saxton/iraq. |
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