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For
Immediate Release
Rep.
Pitts Praises Washington—Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) today commended the Iraqi people for holding yet another successful national election on the heels of their constitutional referendum in October. Voters today selected the 275 individuals who will serve four-year terms as members of the national Council of Representatives. The Council of Representatives will select a presidency council and a cabinet of ministers. The new government is expected to be seated by December 31, 2005. Congressman Pitts delivered the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today in praise of the elections: “Mr. Speaker, today is an historic day for democracy and freedom. “Today, Iraqis go to the polls to democratically elect the 275 seats of the new Iraqi Council of Representatives. “The newly elected Council will then select a Prime Minister, a Presidency Council, and a Cabinet of Ministers. “By any measure, today’s elections are remarkable. “In just under three years, 26 million Iraqis have gone from brutal tyranny to representative democracy. “A ruthless and dangerous dictator has been removed, and the stabilizing influence of democracy is taking root in a region desperately in need of it. “This progress is a fitting tribute to the brave men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much to see this day realized. “There is more work to be done, and there will be more setbacks to overcome, but this is tremendous progress and I salute them.” ### |
