Congressional Black Caucus
"The Conscience of Congress since 1969"
www.congressionalblackcaucus.net

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) will deliver the weekly CBC “Message to America” radio address this Saturday, March 18, 2006.  Congressman Cummings notes that March 19 marks the 3rd anniversary of U.S. military engagement in Iraq and urges Congress to vote on bringing U.S. troops home.

The CBC “Message to America” is distributed nationwide to the American Urban Radio Network’s (AURN) affiliate stations.

WHO:        U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
WHEN:      Saturday, March 18, 2006; 12:06 p.m. EST
WHERE:   American Urban Radio Network Affiliate Stations

Congressman Cummings is expected to deliver the following remarks:

“Hello. I am Congressman Elijah Cummings of Maryland with this week's CBC Message to America.

“March 19 marks the 3rd anniversary of our military engagement in Iraq. Three years ago, the Congressional Black Caucus opposed this unilateral action by the Bush Administration.

“We argued that there was no clear evidence that we were threatened by weapons of mass destruction.  We anticipated that a unilateral first strike would undermine the moral authority of this country, result in a substantial loss of life, destabilize the Middle East and undermine our ability to address all of our other unmet national priorities.

“Tragically, all that we foresaw three years ago has come to pass.

“Yet, even as we challenged the wisdom of this war, we have also supported the brave Americans who have fought with such valor and skill.  And, today, our troops have accomplished all of the objectives that they were sent to Iraq to achieve.

“In an Iraqi court, Saddam Hussein is standing trial for crimes against his people and a duly elected Iraqi Parliament is forming a government.

“Nevertheless, March 19 should begin a time of sober national reflection.

“We must honor the more than 2,300 Americans who have been killed in this war and the more than 7,900 Americans who have been seriously wounded.  We must consider how to repay the hundreds of billions of dollars borrowed from our children to pay for this war.

“And now is the time for Congress to vote on bringing our troops home.  Our troops in Iraq have done their duty. Now is the time for their government to do the same.

“This is Congressman Elijah Cummings with the CBC Message to America.  Thank you for listening.”

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