Hilda L. Solis: “I rise to acknowledge some guests that have visited us today, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues from both sides…”

“I rise to acknowledge some guests that have visited us today, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle. The Women's Caucus of the U.S. Congress had a meeting earlier today, along with Iraqi women who represent their government, members of the Provisional Assembly. We met to talk about reforms that are much needed in their Constitution and respect for women's rights, and I am happy and pleased that our Members stood with them today and also were in the presence of the State Department who brought these courageous women here. These women are in need of our support. Their Constitution, as we were told, is fluid. It is changing. They need protections, they need assistance, and we have pledged our help, along with our colleagues from the other side of the aisle, to do as much as we can to provide support so they can continue with these reforms that are so sorely needed. Their Constitution has changed. When we were first told upon their first visit here that they would be represented well in government, that their rights would be reinstated, they would be able to attend to their careers, we know that has changed. There is now a different edict that is coming about; and we would like to stand tall and firm with our colleagues in Iraq, the Iraqi women, and send that message to their government as well as to our government.”