Tom Price: “our servicemen and -women are winning the war on terror. Yesterday, U.S. and coalition forces arrested al Qaeda's third…”

“our servicemen and -women are winning the war on terror. Yesterday, U.S. and coalition forces arrested al Qaeda's third highest ranking member. Two years ago, the world saw the statues of Saddam Hussein come tumbling down as Iraqis celebrated their first taste of freedom in over a generation. Look at the progress Members may not have read about in the newspapers: 8.5 million Iraqis defied terrorists and voted in a historic election that was fair, transparent, and democratic. Iraq's National Assembly recently named the country's first democratically elected President in more than 50 years, and Iraqi security forces now number over 150,000 protecting their nation. Mr. Speaker, I believe our President said it best. Before coalition forces arrived, Iraq was ruled by a dictatorship that murdered its own citizens, threatened its neighbors, and defied the world. And now because we acted, Iraq's government is no longer a threat to the world or its own people. Today, the Iraqi people are taking charge of their own destiny. I rise to recognize the Iraqi people who have made such great strides and to thank our servicemen and -women who risk their lives every day to protect our freedom. ____________________”