Congressman calls actions 'atrocious,' but an 'aberration'

      "What happened in Iraq with those prisoners is absolutely atrocious," said Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids. "It is totally contrary to the way Americans expect our military personnel to treat prisoners. I am pleased that the people who perpetrated these abuses are being dealt with and that everyone in our military structure from the top down knows that this cannot and will not be tolerated."

      The U.S. House of Representatives voted 365-50 to approve H. Res. 627, with Ehlers joining the 213 Republicans, 151 Democrats and one independent supporting the resolution.

      Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, said he believes that the abuses that were revealed by the publication of photographs of Iraqi prisoners in humiliating circumstances taken by and with American personnel are "an aberration." He said he supports the Congressional inquiry into the matter that will begin on Friday and that officials from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on down have been strongly chastised by President Bush.

      However, Ehlers added that he is hopeful that the many good works of providing security and stability to Iraq and helping the country transition to democracy after years of a brutal dictatorship under Saddam Hussein are not overshadowed.

      "As awful as they are, these pictures do not represent the many Americans who are performing their duties in Iraq in an appropriate fashion," Ehlers said. "The vast majority of our troops and leaders are acting courageously and honorably in Iraq. They deserve our continued support."