Elijah Cummings: “I rise tonight along with fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss the ongoing war in Iraq. As you…”

“I rise tonight along with fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss the ongoing war in Iraq. As you well know, tomorrow will mark the 1-year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am sure you would agree, Mr. Speaker, that this is one anniversary that will not be commemorated with a joyous celebration. Instead, this anniversary will be met with somber reflection upon those lives, both military and civilian, that were lost or forever changed as a result of this tragic war. Just last year, Mr. Speaker, President Bush told the American people, and I quote, ``I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm.'' Yet just 1 year later, the New York Times is reporting that somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 innocent Iraqis have been killed as a result of this war. In fact, as of yesterday, there have been 566 Americans, 59 Britains, 5 Bulgarians, 1 Dane, 1 Estonian, 17 Italians, 2 Poles, 10 Spaniards, 2 Thai and 3 Ukrainians that have died in Iraq. And according to the Pentagon, there have been over 3,000 U.S. troops wounded.”