<home> -- <press releases> -- <October 20, 2003>

Bordallo Returns From Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 20, 2003 – Washington, D.C. – After spending two days in Iraq as part of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) of members of the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo returned to Washington, D.C., today.  The Committee traveled to Iraq to see first hand the state of affairs in Iraq, from securing the peace and reconstructing the country’s infrastructure to the welfare and morale of the men and women serving in Iraq.  While in Iraq, the CODEL met with military and civilian leaders of the transition process and also had the opportunity to meet with several of Guam’s own sons and daughters who are contributing to the peace in Iraq.

“My primary concern was the welfare of our troops in Iraq,” Bordallo said.  “After speaking with Ambassador Paul Bremmer, the administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez, Commander of the Joint Task Force in Iraq, and many of Guam’s own soldiers, we now have a better picture of the situation in Iraq.  While it is still dangerous, the situation is improving and the U.S. efforts to rebuild Iraq are starting to make a difference.”

Bordallo, who last week voiced her support of funding reconstruction in Iraq, also had the opportunity to visit reconstruction sites and see for herself some of the benefits of U.S. assistance.  Among the sites she toured were an elementary school and St. Raphael Hospital.

“We delivered medical supplies to a Catholic hospital in Iraq that receives assistance from USAID. Through U.S. assistance and collaboration with local leaders, all of the schools and hospitals in Iraq have reopened their doors,” Bordallo said.

The Guam servicemen and women Bordallo met with showed great resolve towards accomplishing their mission, although they expressed that they were missing their homes and their loved ones.  Some of Guam soldiers have been serving in Iraq for almost a year.

“I brought with me guyuria and roskette along with CDs of Chamorro music and long distance phone cards to the Guam troops to help boost morale.  I will be returning to Guam shortly and will bring with me letters from the servicemen and women I met to their loved ones.  We are very proud of our men and women in uniform,” Bordallo stated.

During a visit to the city of Mosul, Bordallo had a chance to see how the military is helping transition towards a civilian Iraqi government.  She met with several local officials, including the Governor and Vice-Governor of the municipality.

“The battle has been won.  Now, the challenge is to secure the peace and move towards an Iraqi democratic government.  I was impressed with how well the military was collaborating with local government in the city of Mosul.  We must continue to support our troops and we must support the reconstruction process to stabilize Iraq,” Bordallo said.

Pictures of Congresswoman Bordallo’s trip to Iraq may be viewed on-line at http://www.house.gov/bordallo.

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Contact: Neil Weare in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272.