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Congressman John T. Salazar -- Defending Rural Values -- Third District of Colorado
 
For immediate release: Thursday, August 7, 2008
 
 
Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
 
 

Congressman John Salazar Returns from Iraq Today

 
 

Salazar visited medical facilities in Iraq, Kuwait and Germany; First-hand look at quality of care provided to U.S. troops

Washington, DC – Congressman John Salazar is returning from Iraq today after visiting health care facilities in Iraq, Kuwait and Germany.  Salazar, the only veteran in the Colorado Congressional Delegation, attended the trip to see first hand the quality of care being provided to U.S. military personnel, meet with key medical staff on the ground, and gain a better understanding of the challenges of combat health care in Iraq. 
 
The trip was led by Congressman Michael Michaud (Maine), Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee, and also included Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake and Congressmen Jeff Miller (Florida), Phil Hare (Illinois), Ciro Rodriguez (Texas), and Bill Sali (Idaho).  The trip was kept secret while the delegation was in Iraq and Kuwait because of security concerns. 
 
“It is critical that members of Congress gain a better understanding of the challenges faced providing combat health care to our troops in Iraq.  The job being done by the men and women providing critical care to our troops in the field is nothing short of heroic,” said Salazar, a member of the Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee.  
Congressman Salazar visits Iraq
 
Congressman Salazar and the delegation visited the Kuwaiti Emergency Medical Facility (near Camp Arifjan Air Field), Medical Aid Stations in Baghdad, the Balad Theatre Support Hospital in Balad, Iraq, and the Landstuhal Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany.   The delegation also had the opportunity to visit with key medical personnel, Ambassador Deborah Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, and General David Petraeus, Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq. 
 
“I certainly appreciate the challenges of providing health care in a combat zone.  I look forward to working with Chairman Michaud and General Petraeus to continue to improve the quality of care for our troops in Iraq and, just as important, when they return to the U.S. and enter the VA health care system,” said Salazar.
 
The delegation is expected to return to the United States Thursday afternoon.
 
 
 

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