Tom Lantos: “I will use the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, to read the resolution which was disallowed by the Republican…”

“I will use the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, to read the resolution which was disallowed by the Republican leadership, a resolution congratulating the people of Iraq on three national elections conducted in Iraq in 2005. Whereas the people of Iraq have consistently and courageously demonstrated their commitment to democracy by participating in three elections in 2005; Whereas on January 30, 2005, the people of Iraq participated in an election for a transitional national assembly; Whereas Iraqi society participated in the approval of a new Iraqi constitution through a referendum held on October 15, 2005; Whereas reports indicate that the people of Iraq voted in unprecedented and overwhelming numbers in the most recent election, held on December 15, 2005, yesterday, for a new national parliament that will serve in accordance with the Iraqi constitution for a 4-year term and that represents the first fully sovereign elected democratic assembly in the history of Iraq; Whereas this remarkable level of participation by the people of Iraq in the face of dire threats to their very lives has won the admiration of the world; Whereas the Iraqi elections could not have been conducted without the courage and dedication of the members of the United States Armed Forces and the armed forces of other nations in Iraq, including the members of the security forces of Iraq; Whereas the December 15, 2005, election in Iraq inspires confidence that a robust pluralistic democracy that will bring s…”