In June 2009, I had the opportunity to visit with the men and women of the Pennsylvania National Guard 56th Stryker Brigade, other troops from the Commonwealth, and General Raymond Odierno, Commander of the Multinational Force in Iraq. It was a great honor to spend time with our Armed Forces and thank them for their tremendous efforts, service and sacrifice.
This was my third trip to Iraq since August 2005, and the fact that we were able to drive through the streets of Baghdad was a welcome development. The briefings I received on the ground indicated that the security situation has improved considerably, and I was reassured that troop reductions will continue as planned.
The impact that the sacrifices of our brave troops have had in Iraq and Afghanistan cannot be overstated. However, the United States also has a significant role to play diplomatically in the region as well as around the world. It is critical that Congress facilitate the diplomatic efforts of the U.S. State Department. In concert with properly directed foreign assistance, this will strengthen our national security and advance American foreign policy interests worldwide.
For this reason, I voted in favor of the FY 2010 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that provided vital assistance to Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, which continues to survive under constant threat from terrorists supported by Iran and Syria. This bill also includes important assistance for Egypt and Jordan, two moderate Muslim nations that have played key roles in the global fight against terrorism. Additionally, this bill supports foreign education systems that provide positive alternatives to the often violent teachings of radical madrasas. By promoting soft diplomacy initiatives that foster international peace and stability, we ultimately help achieve our own national goals.
In 2008, I voted to reauthorize PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and to fund the program for five years. This important legislation also aims to alleviate the shortage of healthcare workers in underdeveloped countries by establishing a target of training 140,000 new health care professionals and paraprofessionals. I was proud Congress was able to enact such a comprehensive effort to solving a global epidemic, although much work remains to be done.