Doug Bereuter: “America is blessed to have in Canada not only a neighbor but also a steadfast ally and true friend. While our geographic…”

“America is blessed to have in Canada not only a neighbor but also a steadfast ally and true friend. While our geographic bonds are obvious, it is our deep cultural, political, and economic ties that will forever bind us. Therefore, it is my distinct honor to welcome to Washington today the Honorable Peter Milliken, the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada. Mr. Speaker, I remind Members that this past October, only 1 month after the fateful September day, parliamentarians from all NATO nations met in Ottawa, Canada, for the fall meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. At that meeting, the assembly endorsed the use of force responsible for the horrific attacks on America. Our Canadian hosts that day, as all parliamentarians, knew the significant risk associated with the endeavor. So it is with great sadness that we stand here today following the deaths of four Canadian soldiers, killed while on a mission to fight terror in Afghanistan. Mr. Speaker, I say to Speaker Milliken and to all Canadians, we remain deeply saddened by their loss and America thanks them for their steadfast partnership.”