Joseph T. Burns: “I heard the words of our assistant leader on the majority side and wanted to come to the Senate. These words may get…”

“I heard the words of our assistant leader on the majority side and wanted to come to the Senate. These words may get lost in the swirl of the times with the holidays, but yesterday was truly a historic time not only for the people of Iraq, but a historic time for the peace process in the Middle East. There was not a doubt in anyone's mind around the world what that was about yesterday. They not only elected permanent representation in their government that will move on and try to finish their constitution, but it was a symbol of a people who voted for peace, security, and a new economic future. That is what that was all about yesterday. I congratulate the people of Iraq who, with a great deal of courage, turned out and stood in lines and voted their will. This is what this whole exercise has been about. I leave a message with not only this Congress but to some who fail to see how much hope was on display yesterday: there is hope for the future. Now we have little girls going to school in Iraq. Hope for families, that they can participate in a republican form of democracy, and to change the economic culture of those people who live in Iraq. Think of the possibilities. The success in Iraq also has done another thing that will change not only Iraq, but it will change the whole area. For the first time since World War I there will be a transportation and communication corridor that will change the economic culture from Tel Aviv to Kuwait City.…”