Floor Statement of Congressman Todd Platts: Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental

Mr. Speaker,

I rise in support of this important legislation.

I recently traveled to Iraq as part of a bi-partisan delegation led by the distinguished gentleman from California, Chairman Jerry Lewis, where I was pleased to convey the sincere gratitude of our Nation to our troops for their devoted service and immeasurable contributions to the safety and security of all Americans.

Our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines exhibited remarkable courage, skill, and ingenuity in defeating Saddam Hussein's military. They are now exhibiting an equal level of courage, skill, and ingenuity in rooting out the remnants of regime loyalists, foreign terrorists, and common criminals who are determined to obstruct Iraq's transformation into a peaceful, democratic nation.

Much of our delegation's time in Iraq focused on getting a first-hand understanding of the status of stabilization and normalization efforts. Our delegation met extensively with U.S. Army Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez, Maj. General Raymond Odierno, U.S. Ambassador Patrick Kennedy, British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock, and other senior American and Coalition nation military and civilian leaders. These individuals presented compelling arguments emphasizing the importance of funding electrical, water, and security infrastructure improvements throughout Iraq to ensure that we win the peace, just as we won the war.

Generals Sanchez and Odierno emphasized that infrastructure improvements will not only improve the quality of life of Iraqi citizens, but also the security of American troops in Iraq. General Sanchez stated that sustaining the existing level of troops in Iraq for the foreseeable future is critical for achieving and maintaining a safe and secure environment in all corners of Iraq. The General emphasized, however, that we are not going to win the peace militarily. Rather, the peace will be won through Iraq's economic revitalization, political transformation, and establishment of effective Iraqi security forces.

Our delegation's visits to a mass grave site just outside of Al Hillah in southern Iraq and the newborn intensive care unit at Al Yarmuk Hospital in Baghdad were two of our more emotional and somber stops.

The remains of approximately 3,000 men, women, and children were found in the Al Hillah grave site, one of approximately 165 mass grave sites throughout Iraq. These individuals, including infant children, were executed by Saddam Hussein's regime in the spring of 1991 as part of the regime's mass execution of at least 300,000-and perhaps as many as 1.5 million-Iraqi Shiites.

The chief administrator at Al Yarmuk Hospital, an Iraqi physician, described Saddam Hussein's refusal to invest in Iraq's healthcare system over many years. The tragic death of one of the newborns in the intensive care unit during our visit emphasized Iraq's healthcare challenges, including a staggering infant mortality rate of well over 100 infant deaths per 1,000 births.

While there is much work to be done and many challenges to be overcome, there were many signs that peace is gaining a strong foothold throughout Iraq. Children running up to the roadside to cheer on the Coalition forces escorting our convoy, grateful and hopeful words of Iraqi civic leaders, civilian traffic congestion on the streets, children playing soccer, the stories of American troops being openly thanked and welcomed by Iraqi citizens, the return of power generation to pre-war levels, the training and deployment of 40,000 Iraqi police officers, and the existence of more than 150 free and independent newspapers in Iraq.

With the continued support and assistance of the United States and our allies, the people of Iraq are on the path to transforming their country into a peaceful, thriving democratic nation. The funds for civilian infrastructure projects contained in this legislation will help ensure that the years of despair, fear, and torture under Saddam Hussein's regime are successfully replaced with freedom, justice, and hope for a bright and promising future for all Iraqi citizens.

Finally, and most importantly, these supplemental funds will help to ensure that our courageous men and women in uniform have the resources they need to fulfill their challenging mission in Iraq and in the broader War on Terrorism. I urge all members to support this legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.