María Elvira Salazar: “before discussing these amendments, I underscore the great importance of this legislation. This legislation sends an…”

“before discussing these amendments, I underscore the great importance of this legislation. This legislation sends an important message to our troops and to their families, to the important work it funds, and the important signal it sends to the world from the United States of America. Today, more than 15,000 people from my State are serving overseas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Many of these soldiers, air men and women, reservists, and National Guard men and women are preparing for their second tour of duty away from their families. The 4,000 soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment are in Iraq for their second tour of duty, and 1,800 soldiers from the 43rd Area Support Group and 130 from the 571st Medical Company are also overseas, while the 947th Engineering Company and the second of the 135th Aviation Battalion are preparing to leave for Iraq in the fall. I give a sincere welcome home to all 3,762 soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry, who are returning to their families in Colorado Springs as I stand in the Senate today. The most moving thing I have done since coming to the Senate some 6 months ago was a bipartisan trip which I took to Iraq led by Senator Harry Reid from Nevada. On that trip I saw many moving things, though nothing more impressive than our troops and their dedication to the mission and to their units.…”