Washington, D.C. - U.S. Third District Congressman Frank Lucas made the following statement in response to the President’s address to the nation Thursday evening on the U.S. military strategy in Iraq, in light of the testimony to Congress this week by Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker:

“I’m pleased the President reiterated the need for the Iraqi government to take more responsibility for the future of Iraq, and the need for more political stability in the country.  As General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker told Congress this week, the military surge has produced significant results, but more must be done to create a political reconciliation in Iraq. 

“Our soldiers have performed fantastically, but Iraqis, both military and political, must step up to the plate in order to create a safer and more stable Iraq.

“I support the recommendations by General Petraeus, because I agree with President Bush that decisions on how best to fight this war should be made by commanders in the field, not politicians in Washington running for President.”